Say it ain’t so.
Emo kids were shocked earlier today when The Get Up Kids announced that longtime keyboardist James Dewees would be leaving the band. In a blunt post on social media, the now quartet wrote, “James Dewees is no longer a member of The Get Up Kids.” This news comes prior to their headlining tour which was announced yesterday and will start in November with Kevin Devine and The Whiffs.
So far there’s no reason as to why Dewees is no longer in TGUK. Dewees has yet to make an announcement behind his departure.
Dewees joined the band in 1999 during the recording process of their EP Red Letter Day. He has since appeared on every single album, with his recent appearance being on Problems which came out earlier this year on Polyvinyl Recording Co. (Anamanaguchi, Chris Farren, Pedro The Lion).
Besides being in TGUK, Dewees was a part of several bands as a touring keyboardist, appearing with New Found Glory and My Chemical Romance. He also is the mastermind behind Reggie And The Full Effect, which dropped their latest album 41 last year on Pure Noise Records (The Amity Affliction, Hawthorne Heights, LURK).
The Get Up Kids will be appearing at Riot Fest on Friday, September 13, with The Flaming Lips, Hot Mulligan, and Pennywise. The band will also perform at Every Time I Die’s Christmas show ‘Tid The Season on Saturday, December 14, with Glassjaw, Cave In, and SeeYouSpaceCowboy.
Punk Goes Prenatt 