Pitchfork

James Gregory reports
Another week, another fractured band. Canadian quartet Hot Hot Heat recently announced via their website that guitarist Dante Decaro has split from the group after completing work on the band's long-gestating third album. While no specific reasons as to the nature of Decaro's departure have been divulged, an official (read: diplomatic) statement on the band's website attempted to clarify matters. It was posted as follows:

"Dante has decided to leave Hot Hot Heat. We respect his decision, will miss him and he will always be a friend of the band. While Dante made his decision a while ago, he still co-wrote and recorded the new album with us and is as proud of it as we are. No decisions have been made as to who will fill the position. For now, we are focusing on wrapping up the new record for release next year and touring as soon as possible."

Decaro joined the band in 2001 (two years after they formed), and his signature riffs played a significant role in transforming their once noisier sound into the punky new-wave approach that helped garner the band attention from both indie listeners and major labels. Fans will be interested to see how the split affects any future output from the group-- particularly with Franz Ferdinand nipping at their musical heels-- although, in the meantime, somebody should tell Andy Summers there's an opening for a guitar player in Canada.

Previous reports had the new Hot Hot Heat album-- their debut for Warner Brothers and their first full-length since 2002's Make Up the Breakdown-- tentatively set for a November release. As of yet, there's still been no official announcement as to a firm street date, full tracklist, or potential first single, but as we near 2005's first quarter, let there be no doubt that we'll know shortly. One way or another.