BRMC Lose Drummer, Continue Work on Third LP

The current status of retro-rockers Black Rebel Motorcycle Club is somewhat in flux, according to a recent Billboard report. While the band have just finished a recent tour in support of their second album Take Them On, On Your Own, and are already putting together tracks for a third release, they are also currently without a record label, and rumors are spreading of longtime drummer Nick Jago (it's always the fucking drummer) being permanently dropped from the lineup. Since we love a good band fight as much as the next guy, we'll start with the gossip first.

Citing personal conflicts on their last tour (someone borrowed someone else's leather jacket without asking?), guitarist Robert Turner elaborated on the group's current internal strife in an email to fans: "I think everybody knows by now that recently in Edinburgh Nick and Pete got in an argument. It was rough but that's rock 'n' roll bands on the road. It happens. We decided to cancel the last two gigs on the tour because of this." On Jago's future as a Black Rebel, Turner went on to say, "The rumors that the band has split up for good aren't exactly true. Nick might take some time off and even play drums in other groups here and there, but the doors always open for him to play with BRMC. Touring bands can be really hard work and takes a toll on people in different ways, but it's also the best job in the world so fuck it."

On a positive note, the band is optimistic about the new songs being prepped for inclusion on the next album. The recent tour saw them previewing such possible album contenders as "Gospel", "Complicated Situation", and "Shuffle Your Feet". Speaking of the untitled album and the notion of possible label choice, Turner explained, "We want to finish the album soon and get it out sometime early next year. As for record label news, we've been meeting with a lot of labels in the U.S. and Europe but I think we'll make a final decision like next month. There's been such a strong reaction to the new songs we've recorded we're kind of surprised actually and we've had to rethink our plans a little bit."

In a final BRMC nugget, the band have unsurprisingly dropped out of their planned set at the New Orleans Voodoo Music Festival next month. A post on their official website blames the cancellation on production conflicts with their third album, but considering they also don't have a drummer... In any case, the gathering, which takes place on October 16th and 17th, still has plenty to offer, with Sonic Youth, The Pixies, Beastie Boys, The Polyphonic Spree, Snow Patrol, The Killers, and A Tribe Called Quest (among many notable others) scheduled to perform. Tickets for the fest are still available through Ticketmaster. Oh yeah, and Kid Rock will be there, too. Bawitdaba, girls!