The Flaming Lips Issue Statement Regarding Band’s Split With Steven Drozd

Following Steven Drozd’s recent announcement that the Flaming Lips were “done with” him and had ended their 33-year partnership with the multi-instrumentalist, the Lips’ drummer Matthew Duckworth Kirksey responded with a post on the band’s official Instagram on Sunday (December 21) to clarify the situation and praise the creative efforts of frontman Wayne Coyne. “This idea that Steven was THE musical genius, and Wayne is just some weirdo artist… Its just not true,” Kirksey wrote, while adding that, “Wayne pushes the creativity, the sound, and the show forward, like no artist I’ve ever been around. Being in The Lips is hard.” Kirksey also expressed excitement about the band’s current lineup and promised that, “There is new music on the way and I think its the best thing we’ve done in ages. I can’t wait for you to hear it. Come see us this summer if you get a chance.” (Stereogum)