Alexisonfire Break Up After 10 Years in Less Than 'Amicable' Manner

Posted on Aug 6th 2011 11:00AM by Jason MacNeil
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Michael Burnell, Redferns

Canadian rockers Alexisonfire have decided to call it quits. The band made the rather surprising break-up announcement on its official site Friday evening after stating earlier in the year that it was writing material for their next studio album.

"There is no good way to put it so I'm just going to say it," lead singer George Pettit wrote in a lengthy message which was first reported by Exclaim! "After 10 years, Alexisonfire has decided to part ways. I'm going to try to give you the facts about this as best as I can."

The message explains that singer/guitarist Dallas Green informed the group nearly a year ago that following the band touring behind their last studio album 'Old Crows/Young Cardinals' he would be leaving. Green apparently cited that trying to balance his life with touring with the group as well as City and Colour was "a task too difficult to continue managing."

Pettit adds that following Alexisonfire's show last December in St. Catharines with that lineup, the remaining members discussed the future and planned to "attempt the difficult task of replacing Dallas, but time got the best of us." In addition, guitarist Wade MacNeil was asked to join another band, something "he felt was an opportunity he would like to pursue."

"Replacing one guitar player/singer/writer was something we thought was possible, but replacing two would run the serious risk of perverting the legacy of what we had achieved," Pettit wrote. "So we all took a good hard swallow and decided to end it so it would never get old and ugly."

Although stating that the split was "not really" amicable but "probably" necessary, the singer wished Green and MacNeil "nothing but good fortune."

The remaining trio of Pettit, bassist Chris Steele and drummer Hastings has considered different possibilities including "several special releases" to celebrate their 10 years as a band and a possible Canadian farewell tour but nothing is confirmed.

"In closing I would like to offer my sincere gratitude to the fans of Alexisonfire around the world," Petit added. "I'm forever grateful to anyone who has ever taken any interest in what we did. You were the coal that stoked our engines. You have given us a spectacular decade, rich with experience and joy. I love you all."

Alexisonfire first came to prominence after forming in late 2001 in St. Catharines, Ontario. The band's self-titled debut was certified gold in Canada while 2004's 'Watch Out!' earned more followers and critical acclaim while featuring the single 'No Transitory.'

The group -- known initially for their "screamo" style -- hit the proverbial jackpot with 2006's 'Crisis' highlighted by signature songs 'This Could Be Anywhere in the World' and 'Boiled Frogs' among others. The album was deemed by Kerrang! magazine to be one of the "50 Greatest Albums of the 21st Century."

Alexisonfire's final album was a slight change of pace with less reliance on Pettit's shrieks and wails and more rock or punk-oriented approaches found on 'Young Cardinals' and the deliberate, groovier 'The Northern.' 'Old Crows/Young Cardinals' peaked at No. 2 on the Canadian charts while ending up 81 on the Billboard 200. The group also offered up 'Dog's Blood' EP which saw them covering the Saints and Midnight Oil.

No mention of the split is found on City And Colour's site or Twitter account. The band is set to perform Sunday at Lollapalooza in Chicago before a slot at the Ottawa Folk Festival on Aug. 26.

Alexisonfire's 'Young Cardinals' Video