The Vaccines drummer leaves band

Pete Robertson is looking forward to 'new challenges'

The Vaccines drummer Pete Robertson has announced his departure from the band.

Robertson (pictured above, second from right) had been a member of the London group since they formed in 2009. In a statement, the musician said he was looking forward to “new challenges”.

“After much thought and deliberation I have decided the time is right to end my time as a Vaccine,” he said in a statement posted to Facebook. “The last six years have been the most incredible years of my life and I will never forget them. I’ve seen and experienced more in these years than I’d have any right to expect from a lifetime.”

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“The experiences I’ve shared with Justin, Freddie and Arni have bonded us together like brothers and that’s a bond that’ll never break. But new challenges beckon and I look forward to the next chapter of my life with excitement. Thanks to everyone who’s come on the journey with us so far, and to my brothers for supporting me in this decision.”

NMEDan Dennison/NME

The band’s frontman Justin Young added: “It is with a heavy heart that we must announce that these last few weeks spent playing in America were also Pete’s last shows drumming with The Vaccines. Pete let us know a few months ago he wanted to bow out and focus on other things and the time has now come for that to happen.”

“We’ll love him and miss him on our adventures and we’re all incredibly sad to see him go, but this sadness is only outweighed by our excitement for his future and our own. All shows are to go ahead as planned and we can’t wait to see you all. Raise a glass to Pete and see you in the summer”.

Young recently said that he may play drums on the band’s future material. Speaking to NME last year, the singer revealed the four-piece have been working on new tracks, and they may see him performing from behind a drum kit.

“[The new songs] don’t have names yet. But I’m playing drums now – Eagles, Genesis style. I’ve never really been able to play guitar and I was inspired by watching Phil Collins. I’m not lying. I’m doing lead vocals from the drums and Pete’s playing guitar and keytar.

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“I don’t wanna say much more at this point because I don’t know whether it’s going to work, but I feel like anything is possible now. Hand on heart, last week we wrote 50 complete songs.”

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