Update: The rest of the band has issued its own statement on Ollie Campesinos!’s departure. Explains the band, “We didn’t think we’d ever be in this position and it’s been hard enough to deal with privately, let alone publicly, but we’ve certainly taken no pleasure whatsoever in any of this: asking one of our best friends to leave the band we formed together really does feel as shit as you would expect.”
I am always amazed at how couples stay together for long periods of time without getting sick of each other. I think that’s why they make marriage legally binding, because most people probably would get divorced at some point if it wasn’t a pain in the ass. Well, I really can’t imagine trying to keep eight people together, never mind eight young, mildly attractive British people. So, it is with regret but perhaps not enormous surprise that we report that spunky and youthful pop-rockers Los Campesinos! have lost their 2nd member in the last year.
Though not as noticeable as vocalist Aleks, who left to further pursue her studies, Ollie Campesinos! will surely be missed by fans and friends, as he was one of the group’s founding members. But no real reason for his departure is given, just a list of thank you messages, convincing me he has either committed suicide or won an Oscar. He says:
“It is with very sad regret that I have to announce that I, Ollie Campesinos!, have parted company with Los Campesinos! When we first started this band we never expected in a million years that three years down the line we would have done and achieved all the things that we have. It’s been an amazing experience and I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.
I want to thank everyone that we have ever worked with. Without your hard work we wouldn’t have done all these things. Thank you to every band I have ever had the privilege of playing with. I have made some really great friends.
But most importantly I want to thank every one of you that has ever taken any time to take interest in us. Whether it’s coming to a gig, buying a record or merely reading my food reviews. If it weren’t for you guys and gals we would have faded out a long time ago.”
No replacement has been announced, so it is fortunate that they do not have a number of dates planned in the immediate future. Oh wait, July 4th is soon, huh. We’ll keep you posted if any dates are canceled, which would not pump up lead singer Gareth, let me tell you.
Los Campesinos! 2010 Tour Dates:
07/04 - Abersoch, UK @ Wakestock Festival
07/10 – Bilbao, ES @ Bilbao BBK Live ’10
07/15 - London, UK @ WICHITEN at The Highbury Garage
07/16 – Dour, BE @ Dour Festival
07/17 – Nijmegen, NL @ Festival de-Affaire
07/18 – Normandy, FR @ Festival Chauffer dans la Noirceaur Monmartin Sur Mer,
07/25 - Oxford, UK @ Truck Festival
07/28 – Porto, PT @ Paredes de Coura Festival
07/30 - Cardiff, UK @ Big Weekend
07/31 – Derbyshire, UK @ Ynot Festival
08/01 – London, UK @ Underage Festival
08/15 – Leicester, UK @ Summer Sundae
08/28 – Leeds, UK @ Leeds Festival
08/29 – Reading, UK @ Reading Festival
