The Party of Helicopters Call It Quits!

After nine years, four albums, a shitload of seven-inches and EPs, and who knows how many tours, Kent, OH's The Party of Helicopters is packing it in-- royally. The band apparently has an album's worth of recorded material, sans vocals, but the fate of that material is unknown at the moment considering they're only planning on playing three more shows-- one in Kent on the 24th, one in Cleveland the day after, and finally a New York show at the Knitting Factory in October, as part of the Bifocal Media showcase at CMJ.

In an email conversation with Pitchfork, frontman Jamie Stillman elaborated on the split, which essentially boils down to the same elements that have brought down so many other independent bands. "This is pretty much due to being burned out after nine years of being kicked out of practice spaces over and over again, losing tons and tons of money by touring, [and] never being able to afford a van that was made after 1986 and runs properly. I guess the normal reasons."

As far as future plans are concerned, Stillman continues, "We all still enjoy playing music (as well as playing music together). It just seems like the right thing to do now. We could pull it together sometime when we all feel like it's a good idea or it might be fun and go back at it again. For now, I am anxious to start another band and maybe try a different 'direction' or something." And for a guy who once pounded the skins for Harriet the Spy, that new direction could be almost anything. Stay tuned! Final Party of Helicopters dates:

09-24 Kent, OH - Outpost
09-25 Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom (w/ Lungfish and The Six Parts Seven)
10-14 New York, NY - Knitting Factory (CMJ Bifocal Media showcase)