Darren Emerson has quit Underworld – as hinted by nme.com some two months ago.
At the time, nme.com was told by band insiders that Emerson wanted to quit because he was unhappy with the financial arrangements within Underworld that left him seeing less of sales profits than either vocalist Karl Hyde or programmer Rick Smith. However, nme.com was told by the band’s spokesperson that Emerson had no intention of leaving.
However, now it has been revealed we were right all along and that Emerson had been planning to leave the band for quite some time, and the fact he became a father in May last year had been a major factor in his decision to quit.
A source close to the band told nme.com: “You were right back then, but we couldn’t say anything at the time. Although the split is amicable, there’s a lot of stuff to sort out legally, and so it’s only now we can say that you were right.”
Another source close to the band added: “He joined almost 10 years ago, and most marriages don’t last 10 years. Darren is only 29 and I’m sure they’ll work together again in the future. It’s all very amicable.”
The remaining members will continue under the banner of Underworld, and their appearance at V2000 in August will go ahead as planned.
A joint statement will be released by the remaining members of the band, Karl Hyde and Rick Smith, later today – nme.com will keep you informed on the latest developments.
As previously reported, Underworld release their long-awaited live album on September 4, a double LP featuring tracks recorded during the band’s extensive 1998/9 ‘Beaucoup Fish’ world tour. The album is presently untitled.
A single, most likely a live version of their 1993 breakthrough track ‘Rez’, will precede the album on August 21.
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