Kasabian guitarist quits to join Beady Eye Kasabian Tickets

• More Kasabian news, reviews, videos and tour dates
• Buy Kasabian music from Amazon

Next Previous

Photo Gallery: Kasabian
Photo: PA

Guitarist Jay Mehler has quit Kasabian to join Beady Eye, it has been confirmed.

Mehler joined Kasabian in 2006 during the recording of the band's second album 'Empire' after original guitarist Christopher Karloff left the band. He now joins Liam Gallagher ahead of the release of Beady Eye's second album later this year after their touring musician Jeff Wooton left to pursue other projects. Mehler did not perform with Kasabian during their performance at the Comic Relief concert arranged by comedian Russell Brand earlier this week.

A post on Kasabian’s official Facebook page reads: "Jay is our bro we’re all good and the last six years have been mega. He’s moving on and will be incredible in Beady Eye. We thought posting an awesome video was the best way to let you guys know that he will be missed, but here it is in black and white too." Scroll down to see the video now.

Beady Eye have been working on their second studio album with producer Dave Sitek, and are expected to unveil a new single in April. Meanwhile, Kasabian confirmed that they will headline Hard Rock Calling in June. The festival will take place in its new home of London's Olympic Park and the band will appear on a bill which also includes Paul Weller, Miles Kane, Kodaline, The Cribs, Klaxons and Tribes.

The world's greatest music magazine is now available as a digital edition! For exclusive content you won't find on NME.COM, download here on your iPad/iPhone and here on your Kindle Fire or Nook.

• 

  20 unspeakably exciting Jack White tracks

• 

  20 greatest indie anthems, as voted by you

• 

  Song map - good enough to get lost in?

• 

  Which album are you most ashamed to have owned?

• 

  Dave Grohl - through the years

• 

  50 songs that give you goosebumps

• 

  Music's mightiest bass lines

• 

  10 Of The Most Ridiculous Gigs Of All Time

• 

  Why Radio 2 Listeners Voting Coldplay's Album 'Favourite Of All Time' Is Kind Of OK

• 

  20 photos of rock stars smoking

• 

  What's the best Foo Fighters album?

• 

  The stories behind 25 classic Rolling Stones songs

• 

  The 25 most annoying songs ever

• 

  Muse - 25 awesome photos

• 

  Liam Gallagher's 70 funniest quotes

• 

  50 years of Beatles hits

• 

  Foo Fighters - rank the albums

• 

  What song would you choose for your funeral?

• Previous: Snoop Dogg to play T In The Park
• Next: Lamb Of God's Randy Blythe leaves Prague a free man, but says, 'I am in no way happy'