GoGoGo Airheart Break Up

Citing the two-hour commute from San Diego to Los Angeles (both of which are home to different band members) and financial problems as the main reasons behind the split, Vyas called money "the biggest problem with being in this band and most likely many other bands out there." He then explained, "Everyone who had a job quit before the U.S. tour in February. We didn't come home with any money, and that reality, which we were aware of at the start of the European tour, fueled our decision to stop this band."

The band's last performance was May 22 at the Casbah in San Diego, Vyas' and Robillard's hometown. Vyas described the show, which also featured "bands who had members we played with in other bands when we started playing out in 1996-97," as "typical of what we've been experiencing over the last several years. Depending on the size of the city, we'd play in front of 20-80 people who tended to be the 'hipsters' of their city... What I mean is the kids who are geeks about music and the culture surrounding it. There have been countless times where kids have come up to us and said they started their bands because of us, but my head is now way bigger than my wallet and I can't pay my rent with my ego!"

And while turnout may not have been quite what the band would have hoped, "The performance was excellent!...It was pretty much like full circle, for me at least...The crowd was small, but the people there enjoyed it."

As for the unreleased tracks the band recorded in 2003 with John Reis (Rocket From the Crypt, Hot Snakes, Drive Like Jehu) at his San Diego studio, Vyas says, "The material came out really well, but Mike [Vermillion, vocalist/guitarist] didn't feel confident about his voice and some of the material. It ended up sitting on the back burner until Ben [White, guitarist] rejoined in 2004, when it officially got canned. As for a future release, who knows? I think it was some of the most progressive GGGAH material, but let's wait and see."

Despite the breakup, members of the band remain active in the Southern California music scene. "Mike is living in Long Beach playing in bands around town. Ben is living in L.A. [and] DJing at a popular club night at the Echo on Sunset Blvd. It's Sunday and called 'Part Time Punks.' Andy is living in San Diego [and] looking for a drumming gig."

And Vyas? Well, he is currently busy "sleeping on a couch in San Diego trying to record a record." He adds, "Next month I'm touring the West Coast with Thievery Corporation. I'm their touring bassist. Later on in the year, I'll be touring with Rob Garza [of Thievery Corporation] who I recorded with earlier this year in London with Brendan Lynch [Primal Scream, Ocean Colour Scene]... After 10 years of being in this band and taking care of the 'business' it's nice to only have to take care of myself." As an afterthought, he adds, "Free at last..."

Thievery Corporation dates:

07-18 Seattle, WA - Moore Theatre
07-19 Portland, OR - Roseland Theater
07-20 San Francisco, CA - Concourse
07-21 San Diego, CA - 4th & B
07-22 San Diego, CA - 4th & B
07-23 Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood Bowl *
08-04 Chicago, IL - Metro
08-05 Chicago, IL - Grant Park (Lollapalooza)
08-25 Hunter, NY - Camp Bisco Festival (DJ set)

* with Os Mutantes, Flaming Lips