Pitchfork

After nearly a decade of rocking the indie music scene with their unique, groundbreaking pop, Washington, DC's greatest-ever live band, The Dismemberment Plan is, well... dismembering. Bassist Eric Axelson announced on the band's official website that after finishing up their current winter tour, the group will disband. "There will not be a next album by the Dismemberment Plan," said Axelson, "[but frontman] Travis [Morrison] will be going into the studio in April with some songs of his own, and probably a handful, or maybe all, of the songs we worked on as a band to record a solo album."

Hoping to quell the inevitable "why's" surrounding the breakup, Axelson stated, "The best answer we can come up with is that we felt like we'd accomplished all we could as a songwriting and recordmaking unit, and that we wanted-- as individuals-- to try things that can be precluded by living the lifestyle of the touring musician."

The Dismemberment Plan is going through with their forthcoming remix album, featuring reworkings of their best material by diehard fans. "We have 9 or 10 keepers, and are hoping to get another one or two before putting it to press," revealed Axelson. Axelson also suggests there's been talk of releasing any songs that don't make the cut for Morrison's solo record under the Plan moniker.

Hoping to keep their gigging options open, the band will consider future "irregular shows" such as benefit concerts or an annual D.C. reunion show, of sorts. In the meantime, the guys expect to finish out their remaining tour dates and hopefully add a few more shows this spring. "We're seriously considering a last tour of the States in the early summer and maybe something overseas this summer if we can work that out. We'd like to play Fort Reno, too." For now, it sounds like the best advice for all heartbroken fans is to keep your eyes glued to the band's website for the possible "farewell" tour news, and additional information about the remix record's release. Remaining tour dates:

02-05 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom (w/Enon and El Guapo)
02-06 Boston, MA - The Roxy (w/Les Savy Fav)
02-28 Alfred, NY - Knight Club/Alfred University