The last two days have been eventful for the Mystery Jets as the announcement that bassist Kai Fish has left the band was swiftly followed by a new video for Someone Purer. Speaking to the NME Kai explained, “It was probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I sat down with the guys and said, ‘I’m finding being in the band really hard, but I’ll try my best to carry on.’ And I did, but feelings just don’t go away…”
The rest of the band reacted to the announcement with a statement released through their official Facebook page…
“A huge thank you to those who’ve come to the shows. From Leeds to Hartlepool, Carlisle to Edinburgh and then Newcastle onto Hull, its great to experience that familiar warmth and enthusiasm that you all bring to the concerts. We’ve just about played every new song off of Radlands, and they’re taking there place amongst the older numbers very comfortably. Theres nothing like playing new songs for the first time in tiny little clubs and watering holes, its as exciting as it is frightening! You may have noticed the addition of two new members to the Jets show, Mr Matt Parks on the pedal steel and Peter Cochrane on the bass guitar, yes, the bass guitar…Since the beginning of the year Kai has decided to go separate ways from the band, focusing his time and energy on raising his beautiful baby girl Odessa and writing music for solo and collaborative projects. The departure has been an emotional one for all of us involved but also a very amicable one, Brother Fish will always be a best of friend and a Mystery Jet. This ending has bought in its wake a new beginning too, a new line up, a new era, and we are all thrilled with how Radlands has been shaping up when played loud in tiny clubs. [For the video for Someone Purer]… we snuck into a working quarry in the Scottish wilderness singing “Give me rock and roll….” as we went. I look forward to seeing your faces down the front.”
The rest of the tour, supported by PEACE, takes in the following venues…
Cardiff The Gate (11)
Norwich Arts Centre (12)
Nottingham Bodega (14)
Stoke Sugarmill (15)
Sheffield Queen’s Social Club (16)
Oxford Bullingdon (18)
Tunbridge Wells Forum (19)
Cambridge Junction (20)
Bath Moles (21)
O2 Academy Brixton (May 18)
