October 24, 2001 11:32

BLACK COMEDY

The soon-to-be-no-more band issue a statement confirming NME.COM's exclusive story...

THE DIVINE COMEDY have issued a statement speaking of their "great sadness" on the decision to spilt the band.

As exclusively revealed on NME.COM yesterday (October 23), the group's current European tour which started in Glasgow last night (October 23), will be their last before they disband.

Singer Neil Hannon will remain with the group's current label Parlophone, but it is currently unclear what will happen to the other members of the group.

A statement has been issued by via the group's official website, www.thedivinecomedy.com, confirming the split.

It reads: "It's with great sadness that we'd like to confirm rumours regarding the break up of the band. The Divine Comedy have been performing and recording as a seven-piece for the past four years but it has been decided that the forthcoming UK, Paris and Irish tours will be the last for the band in this line-up. Neil, as the only Divine Comedy member signed to Parlophone will continue to record for the label. We will update you as to the future projects of the other six when we have more news."

The group's label, Parlophone, have also issued a statement, which reads: "The Divine Comedy as a seven piece band are no more. Their current tour of the UK and Ireland will be the last by the group in this format; at the end of the tour founder Neil Hannon will continue work on a new Divine Comedy album for Parlophone Records although it is not yet clear which other musicians will play on the record.

"The split is amicable and all dates on the current tour carry on as planned, as does the release of a new single 'Perfect Lovesong' on October 29."

A spokesman for the label added; "Neil Hannon continues to be signed to Parlophone and we look forward to a new phase of The Divine Comedy. In essence, The Divine Comedy has always been Neil Hannon; he was the only member of the seven-piece to be signed to Parlophone and we are hugely excited to see in which direction his new work will go"

The group are due to play: Nottingham Rock City (October 24)
Bristol Anson Rooms (25)
London Brixton Academy (26)
Paris Zenith (27)
Cork Savoy (November 18)
Dublin Olympia (19-20)
Galway Leisureland (21)
Belfast Mandela Hall (22)

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