US rockers Yellowcard have officially announced their breakup ahead of the release of their final album and their last-ever world tour, which is set to receive Australian dates later this week.
In a statement posted to their website, Yellowcard shared the sad news with fans, writing:
“Putting this into words hasn’t been easy. When saying farewell, it is hard to know where to start, especially when there are so many reasons not to say it, but the time has come to share this news. After countless discussions and months of thought, we have decided that it is time for Yellowcard to come to an end. This will be our last album and our final world tour.”
In their statement, which can be read in full below, Yellowcard members Ryan Key, Sean Mackin, Ryan Mendez and Josh Portman say the decision to end the band was “incredibly difficult to make”, but they’ve decided to call it a day ahead of their forthcoming self-titled album, which is due out in September.
“In the end we realized that this was the right time to step away and preserve the legacy and integrity of the band,” the band say.
“It is with you, the fans in mind, that this decision was made, We wanted to have the chance to share our farewell with as many fans around the world as we could, and now is the right time to do just that.
“We went into this record knowing it would be the last, which is why we chose to have Ryan Key and Ryan Mendez produce it. The motivation behind this was to make sure these songs came from a place that was deeply rooted in us.
“We wanted to push ourselves to create a lasting finale for this incredible story on our own. It is also why we chose to self-title the album. We were lucky to still have our friend and mentor, Neal Avron, on board as Executive Producer and mixer and we’ve made one of the strongest records of our career and a fitting final creative piece.”
As for what comes after Yellowcard wrap up their final album release and world tour, the band says its members will be “heading in new directions”. They’ve thanked fans for their support, and say the memories they’ve made together will always be with them.
“We will be forever grateful to Yellowcard fans all over the world for the opportunities you have given us. We have played shows for nearly two decades on six continents, and had the chance to keep recording the music we love year after year,” Yellowcard say.
“While it is with sadness that we say goodbye, it is with gratitude and amazement that we look back on a career we can be proud of, and were so very lucky to have had.”
Yellowcard have already shared details of shows in the US, UK and Europe for their Final World Tour, and they say Australian and Japanese dates will be announced soon. On Twitter, Frontier Touring says Australian shows will be announced this Thursday, 30th June. The band last made their way to Australia for a tour in July 2015.
Yellowcard shared their new single Rest In Peace, the lead single from their upcoming final album, earlier this week. Stream the track below, alongside the band’s full breakup statement.
Watch: Yellowcard – Rest In Peace
Yellowcard Breakup Statement (Via Yellowcard)
Putting this into words hasn’t been easy. When saying farewell, it is hard to know where to start, especially when there are so many reasons not to say it, but the time has come to share this news. After countless discussions and months of thought, we have decided that it is time for Yellowcard to come to an end. This will be our last album and our final world tour.
The decision was an incredibly difficult one for us to make. We considered so many things – our families, our health, our future endeavors. In the end we realized that this was the right time to step away and preserve the legacy and integrity of the band. It is with you, the fans in mind, that this decision was made, We wanted to have the chance to share our farewell with as many fans around the world as we could, and now is the right time to do just that.
We went into this record knowing it would be the last, which is why we chose to have Ryan Key and Ryan Mendez produce it. The motivation behind this was to make sure these songs came from a place that was deeply rooted in us. We wanted to push ourselves to create a lasting finale for this incredible story on our own. It is also why we chose to self-title the album. We were lucky to still have our friend and mentor, Neal Avron, on board as Executive Producer and mixer and we’ve made one of the strongest records of our career and a fitting final creative piece.
Once this final chapter for Yellowcard comes to a close, we will all be heading in new directions in our lives, but these memories will never leave us. We can only hope that the memories we have made together with you will stay in your hearts as well You have stood by us through all of the highs and lows on this unbelievable journey.
We will be forever grateful to Yellowcard fans all over the world for the opportunities you have given us. We have played shows for nearly two decades on six continents, and had the chance to keep recording the music we love year after year. While it is with sadness that we say goodbye, it is with gratitude and amazement that we look back on a career we can be proud of, and were so very lucky to have had.
Please come and join us on our last trip around the globe. We hope to share this final record and tour with each and every one of you.
“I won’t be with you, but I won’t be far away and this is goodbye.”
-Ryan, Sean, Ryan, and Josh
