Beak> drummer Geoff Barrow (who also runs Invada Records and co-founded Portishead) has announced that he will be retiring from the group following their tours in UK/Europe this fall and the US in the spring.
“Unfortunately, due to a dodgy ankle and other work I need to do before I get too old, it’s time for me to move on from being the mumbling drummer,” Barrow wrote in a statement. “As always, I’ll continue my score work with Ben Salisbury and I’ve produced my first feature film that will be released later this year. Thanks to everyone that has tolerated me over the last 16 years of BEAK> records and gigs – especially Billy, Will and Matt. Your musicianship and friendship have truly enriched my life far more than you will ever know.”
Barrow reiterates that this is not the end of Beak>, which he formed with bassist Billy Fuller and guitarist/keyboardist Matt Williams in 2008 (Will Young replaced Williams in 2016). “I wish BEAK> all the best. I know there will be some absolute killer records to come in the future. I’m looking forward to my new role as BEAK>’s idiotic and musically inept A&R person at INVADA.”
Beak>’s group statement reads, in part, “In terms of future Beak> activity there’s life in the old dog yet, but we need time to mourn our Geoff. New music & activity will come along when the time is right. And for now, the 3 of us are going to rehearse for this upcoming tour and make these final set of shows with Geoff really memorable for us and our fans.”
Beak> have not announced their US tour dates yet, but they will be at Knoxville’s Big Ears festival in March. Stay tuned.
Barrow is both Beak> drummer and vocalist; the group are definitely a three-headed hydra but it’s hard to imagine them with out Geoff.
Beak> released their terrific fourth album this spring and you can read our interview with Barrow, Fuller and Young here.
Read Barrow and Beak>’s full statements below.