Byzantine Part Ways with Matt Wolfe, Seek New Drummer
Well, this is a huge bummer: Byzantine announced via Facebook over the weekend that they’ve parted ways with longtime drummer Matt Wolfe. While Wolfe wasn’t the original drummer in the band — that title belongs to Jeremy Freeman — he did play on their 2004 debut album The Fundamental Component and every album since; so for all intents and purposes, and as far as most fans are concerned, Wolfe was their original drummer.
While Nobody Beats the Byz, apparently The Byz beat Wolfe. Byzantine’s announcement didn’t go into any reasons behind the split (reading between the lines here: it was not amicable), instead focusing on moving forward and finding his replacement:
BYZANTINE PARTS WAYS WITH MATT WOLFE, SEEKS DRUMMER!
Byzantine has parted ways with longtime drummer Matt Wolfe and are seeking his replacement, effective immediately. Interested parties can email the band directly at [email protected]
Qualifications are as follows:
Must live within a few hours driving distance of Charleston, WV
Must have own professional drum equipment and road cases
Must have a valid drivers license and transportation
Must have or be able to obtain a valid Passport
Must be drug free! Weed, whiskey and beer is cool. Anything schedule 3 and up… don’t bother
Must have the ability to tour 2-4 weeks at a time.
With Wolfe out, vocalist/guitarist Chris “OJ” Ojeda is now the sole remaining member from the lineup that recorded The Fundamental Component (with longtime guitarist Tony Rohrbaugh and bassist Chris Adams), and even 2008’s genre-smashing Oblivion Beckons (with Rohrbaugh and bassist Skip Cromer).
Here’s to hoping Byzantine can find a replacement and get back out on the road ASAP. In the meantime, here’s a recently-posted live video of the band performing “Justinian Code” at the final show at the Chop Shop in Charlotte, NC:
