Asia Smith August 10th, 2011 - 5:19 PM
Ontario, Canada band Alexisonfire has officially called it quits. According to a statement made by vocalist George Pettit on the band’s website, Alexisonfire guitarist/vocalist Dallas Greene informed his bandmates about a year ago that he would be leaving after their tour cycle for the 2009 album Old Crows/Young Cardinals wrapped up. “Trying to balance his life between touring with us [and] City and Colour was a task too difficult to continue managing,” stated Pettit. “He informed us he wanted to focus his efforts on City and Colour.”
Pettit added that though the other band members had originally planned to continue with Alexisonfire, a series of “personal issues” made it impossible. Guitarist Wade MacNeil’s recent decision to pursue other ventures cemented the deal.
“Replacing one guitar player/singer/writer was something we thought possible, but replacing two would run the serious risk of perverting the legacy of what we had achieved,” said Pettit. “We took a good hard swallow and decided to end it so it would never get old and ugly. Was the break-up amicable? Not really. Was it necessary? Probably. The members of this band are my family and I wish them nothing but good fortune.”
MacNeil has himself announced that he will be joining British hardcore band Gallows as a vocalist, replacing original frontman Frank Carter only months after his departure from the group. Carter stated on his website, “It seems that Gallows have hit a crossroads in our writing process and unfortunately myself and the rest of the boys have different ideas regarding the sound of Gallows going forward.” Gallows is currently in the studio working on a follow-up to their 2009 album Grey Britain.
Photo: Raymond Flotat
