The Full story:
STUART IS SACKED FROM BAND
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Stereophonics have parted company with drummer Stuart Cable, one of the band's
founding members, it was announced today.
Frontman Kelly Jones said the musician - one of his childhood friends - had been
sacked because of "commitment" issues since the band released their third LP.
Jones said losing Cable was "heartbreaking", but attempts to resolve the
situation over many months had failed.
The band - riding the success of fourth album You Gotta Go There To Come Back -
will continue as a duo of Jones and bass played Richard Jones. A stand-in
drummer, Steve Gorman, formerly of the Black Crowes, will be helping out.
Cracks had appeared as the band played in the US with Gorman having to fill in
for Cable on several dates. Officially the band said he had been unable to
perform because of ill health.
Jones said today: "Me and Stuart started a band when I was 12. Emotionally to me
this is heartbreaking, I love him like a brother, but commitment-wise there have
been issues since Just Enough Education To Perform.
"We've tried resolving them but things stayed the same. Myself and Richard miss
Stuart already, a band is like a gang and a lot of the time he simply wasn't
there, although it was our fault to allow this situation to develop in the first
place.
"No one will be replacing Stuart as a band member, Stuart is irreplaceable, but
Steve Gorman will continue to sit in on drums for the upcoming shows.
"No one member of the band is bigger than our songs. It's a rock and roll band
and the coming shows will be rocking."
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STUART BRINGS IN THE LAWYERS
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Stereophonics drummer Stuart Cable is consulting lawyers about his sacking from
the band, he said today.
Cable said he was "stunned" to receive a phone call from lead singer and former
best friend Kelly Jones saying he was out.
Jones said yesterday that he had taken the "heartbreaking" decision to axe Cable
because of "commitment" issues.
But Cable hit back at the comments, claiming Kelly and bass guitarist Richard
Jones had told him to take time off from the US leg of the tour to recover from
a minor operation to remove an abscess.
In a statement, Cable said: "I would like to respond to the press release that
was issued by Kelly Jones on 25 September 2003.
"I’m a founder member of the Stereophonics and I would like to stress that I did
not leave nor ever had any intention of leaving the band.
"As has been published, I underwent a minor operation whilst in the US and was
unable to play two of the gigs.
"My doctor subsequently told me I was able to continue the US tour. However,
Kelly and Richard suggested I return to the UK to recuperate for the forthcoming
UK and European tours.
"Last Monday evening, Richard and Kelly telephoned me from the US and I was
stunned to be told that they had decided to sack me.
"I still want to continue to be a part of the Stereophonics and play on the
band’s forthcoming UK and European tours."
He went on: "I am, and have always been, a fully committed member of the
Stereophonics and am very upset that Kelly seems to be saying that I was not
committed to the band.
"I have now been put in the unfortunate position where I have had to place this
matter in the hands of my lawyers."
Kelly Jones put out a statement on the Welsh band’s website yesterday about
Cable, who is dating TV presenter Lisa Rogers.
He said: "Me and Stuart started a band when I was 12. Emotionally to me this is
heartbreaking. I love him like a brother, but commitment wise there have been
issues.
"We’ve tried resolving them but things stayed the same. Myself and Richard miss
Stuart already, a band is like a gang and a lot of time he simply wasn’t there,
although it was our fault to allow this situation to develop in the first
place."
And Jones added: "No one member of the band is bigger than our songs."
Former Black Crowes drummer Steve Gorman is standing in for Cable on their
current shows.
:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:
I'll miss you Start, you were an excellent drummer. :cry: