Last week Steven Drozd unceremoniously announced that his 30-year-plus tenure with the Flaming Lips had ended, writing on Threads in a since-deleted post: "They're done with me — but we're not talking about it. So I'm moving on." On Sunday, in response to online criticism of frontman Wayne Coyne, Drozd's ex-bandmate Matthew Duckworth Kirksey addressed the split in a statement shared as an Instagram collaboration with the band. "This idea that Steven was THE musical genius, and Wayne is just some weirdo artist… Its just not true," it read. Threads devotee Drozd shared his own statement the same day:
Hey freex- to anyone that would like to know:At the end of 2024 I started to think it would be best for me and my family if I didn’t tour anymore. So, I didn’t tour in 2025 and it felt right. Then, it just kinda went from there. Wayne and I have parted ways after 33-34 years. I’m making some new music I’m excited about and plan to have an LP out in spring or summer. I can’t thank all the fans enough for support and concern, and I wish the Lips well.
Now, Coyne — the only remaining founding member of the Flaming Lips — has finally chimed in. He posted a message on Instagram today implying that Drozd's departure from the Flaming Lips wasn't because his bandmates were "done with" him as was claimed. Here's the full statement:
For anybody who read Stevens post about the reason he is no longer in the Flaming Lips … I can say that is absolutely not true … the reason he left is sad , and infuriating.... it is HIS responsibility to tell everyone what happened… what he told everyone was a lie ….I was trying to give him ( Steven ) his own space and time to let everyone know what REALLY happened… I will post more in just a few days ❤️❤️❤️❤️so.. at the moment we hunting down elf on a shelf and busy doing last minute Christmas things!!! We are ( as always ) grateful to the ever-amazing flaming lips fans for giving us the greatest life anyone could ever live ?????PEACE ON EARTH!! GOODWILL TOWARD MEN??????Joy to the world ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️???
Until his promised next update, see Coyne's festive Instagram post below.
