Holy cow people, he left the band, he didn't die! I am am upset as well, I am not going to cry in self pity. I mean, have you listened to School of Seven Bells? That song is pretty badass. I am really excited to see what they have in store.

Now I can honestly say I have been a fan of the band since one of their first tours and enjoy them just as much if not more than most of you, but I'm not going to act like this is some life changing event.

BTW, when Roger Waters left Pink Floyd, the only thing PF survived on was their reputation. I honestly do not think that is a fair comparison, because TSM are only 3 albums into their career. I say stop "mourning" (seriously? mourning?) and enjoy what is to come!

thanks lisa for pointing my way back here. i've been home only a smattering of days since the new year, thus why i've been largely off the internet.

sad news but always trying to see the bright side i'm really really intrigued now to hear the new album. i really think a band's got to keep reinventing themselves in order to stay interesting - and while losing a member isn't the exact ideal example of that, interesting i'm sure it will be. i look forward to the new album. i hope they find a way to keep it upbeat.

that said, what's kept me off the internet is being on the road you-name-where following around my #1 band of all time, gomez. because the band has BEEN my life, a tremor like this in that band would quite literally change my entire existance and i couldn't imagine what i'd do with myself. i feel truly bad for a particular few of you who have doggedly stuck around this board waiting for new news, tours and music. i really hope those folks find something to love in the new album.

Now kiddies, let me put your little minds to ease.

Oh Ye Of Little Faith

Ben's departure from TSM is a sad one indeed, but hey, all little brothers grow up right? Just relax, Brandon's song writing ability is incredible. Even before Ben they were doing amazing things with Regina in Captain Audio. There is no doubt in my mind that Ben and Josh will continue to expand the boundaries of TSM.

And with extreme amounts of respect to Benjamin Curtis, I'm just as excited about School of Seven Bells than I am about the new album. It's gonna to be some' good.

You are right.

to put some humor in here...nme.com is reporing that DRUMMER benjamin curtis is leaving the band.

http://www.nme.com/news/the-secret-machines/26845

nice work, NME. it would've been more accurate had they reported that TRIPPING DAISY drummer benjamin curtis was leaving the secret machines...though still misleading.

hah...

New Musical Express: Striking fear into the hearts of proponents of Darwinism

oh fucking hell

that's about all I can say.

balls balls balls balls balls this is balls

Someone give me a drink?

REGINAAA!!!!!!!!!

Did anyone figure out where to pre-order the "My Cabal" by SVIIB single? A pity that they put all the songs except the new one off their mypsace site.

www.soniccathedral.co.uk is where the 7" is being sold

Just catching up with this news and to say I'm surprised would be understatement. Benjamin's guitar playing/soundscaping will be greatly missed, and the sound of the 'new' Secret Machines will inevitably change.

If Brandon is the songmeister, then good things can be anticipated for the new album, but I'll miss that live magic the trio had.

Pity that all the hard work of the past several years has ended with this break in continuity....I wonder if the relentless touring, added to the fact that 'Ten Silver Drops' really didn't set the world on fire (despite its great songs etc) had anything to do with the schism?

All the best to TSM and Benjamin...see you both on the road sometime.

...when it came to a "new" TSM song I hadn't heard yet, I was always sure that it would be more than great. Just as well I am sure now that the next album will be more than just great - even though I now definetly can't imagine what it will be like without this hell of a sound-scaping guitarist like Benjamine Curtis...

Still, it would be great to once in a while see you guys over here in Germany playing "old" songs...

On a side note, since Ben's leaving and they have stated at least as of now that they will not be replacing him, that likely means no songs from the first 2 albums will ever be able to be played live again. If this is the case I really think it's unfair of them to use the Secret Machines name, they should really treat it as a new project even if it's still Brandon and Josh. A similar thing happened when 2 people left a favorite band of mine The Reunion Show, and although it was still in many ways the same band, they became Action Action. It would be nice though, to get an official word on how the existing song catalog will be treated.

^ i'm with you there.

If guitarist Curtis isn't being replaced, maybe it's time for reverendbass to audition!

Seriously, TSM cannot exist as a performing entity with keyboards/vocals and drums alone unless it's as a very edgy experimental duo, so the interesting thing will be how the remaining 2/3 fill the instrumental gap.

On a more frivolous note,just looking at the 'School of Seven Bells' page, noting who's in the band...maybe guitarist of TSM has left because there's a woman or two in a fiery state threatening to lift their dress(es) up?

Reverendbass...your time is gonna come!

(EDIT: I'm going to recall first part)

I think I'm the only one who doesn't want them to change their name. :-/ I love The Secret Machines. I think they can make it as a two-piece as well. I have faith.

Now Here Is Nowhere is one of my greatest albums of all time, 2 of the 3 just isn't TSM, I think they should go under a different name, it means a new start and they have a lot more freedom to get others in or be as they are, it's a fresh start and a way carrying on because after all, learning to work without a main member is an entirely new project and deserves an entirely new name

i reckon it be a storm in a tea cup (well i hope) they have obviously had arguments over commitments to/away from TSM and this is the result.
The one glimmer of hope is that blood is thicker than water. i reckon benji will return one day - hopefully that day wont be that long away. finegers n toes crossed.

I'm with you, Mel. Brandon and Josh have the right to continue as TSM. I can't wait to hear some new songs.

quote:

Originally posted by harvey:
i reckon it be a storm in a tea cup (well i hope) they have obviously had arguments over commitments to/away from TSM and this is the result.
The one glimmer of hope is that blood is thicker than water. i reckon benji will return one day - hopefully that day wont be that long away. finegers n toes crossed.

Part of me thinks / hopes this