The Vaccines drummer Pete Robertson has quit the band.
The sticksman has decided to leave the indie rock group, which he has been a member of since they formed in 2010, to seek out "new challenges".
In a statement posted on the ‘If You Wanna’ hitmakers’ official Facebook page, he said: "After much thought and deliberation I have decided the time is right to end my time as a Vaccine. The last six years have been the most incredible years of my life and I will never forget them. I’ve seen and experienced more in these years than I’d have any right to expect from a lifetime.
"The experiences I’ve shared with Justin, Freddie and Arni have bonded us together like brothers and that’s a bond that’ll never break. But new challenges beckon and I look forward to the next chapter of my life with excitement. Thanks to everyone who’s come on the journey with us so far, and to my brothers for supporting me in this decision."
The Vaccines frontman Justin Young also posted a statement on the social networking website and admitted that he and the rest of the band – bass player Arni Arnason and guitarist Freddie Cowan – are "incredibly sad" to lose Pete.
He said: "It is with a heavy heart that we must announce that these last few weeks spent playing in America were also Pete’s last shows drumming with The Vaccines. Pete let us know a few months ago he wanted to bow out and focus on other things and the time has now come for that to happen.
"We’ll love him and miss him on our adventures and we’re all incredibly sad to see him go, but this sadness is only outweighed by our excitement for his future and our own. All shows are to go ahead as planned and we can’t wait to see you all. Raise a glass to Pete and see you in the summer."
The Vaccines lose drummer
