THRICE GO ON HIATUS: “WE ARE NOT BREAKING UP!”

After 13 years as a band and eight studio albums, Thrice have decided to take a break. My interest in Thrice has waned over the years — and I’m sure I’m not alone in that amongst metalheads — but I always respect a band that’s constantly changing, evolving, and pushing new boundaries, and Thrice were most certainly one of those (rare) bands.

No one fucked anyone’s girlfriend, got in a fight on the bus or became a pill-popping psycho; on the contrary, the reasons the band gives are pretty standard. Tired of being on the road, desire to settle down, wanting to spend time with family, etc. No drama. Here’s part of a statement from singer/guitarist Dustin Kensrue, posted on Noisecreep:

Thrice is not breaking up. If nothing has broken us up by now, I doubt anything ever could.

However, we will be taking a break from being a full-time band, and the upcoming tour in the Spring will be the last one for the foreseeable future.

Playing music for the past 13 years with Riley, Ed, and Teppei has been such a gift. We have been able to see the world, share music with thousands and thousands of people, and make records with a variety of talented and inspiring people. The four of us have been through many highs and lows and overcome them together. I value their friendship, and it has been a great priviledge [sic] to play alongside them for so long.

Read the rest of Kensrue’s statement here. My guess as to what this whole “we will be taking a long break from being a full-time band” but “Thrice is not breaking up” thing means is this: the dudes in Thrice need some time to rest and work on other shit, be it their families or other projects. Thrice will probably be back, but they’ll be way more selective about when and how they choose to tour. Oftentimes these breaks have a way of making bands even bigger than they ever were when they finally do decide to return, ala System of a Down, Tool, Radiohead, or any band that takes forever between albums. So if you never got a chance to see Thrice live, fear not; they’ll probably be back in extravagant fashion.

-VN