Flaming Lips drummer, Matthew Duckworth Kirksey, has shared his thoughts on long-time Steven Drozd’s since-deleted comment revealing the multi-instrumentalist was no longer part of the band.
A member of The Flaming Lips has commented on Steven Drozd’s since-deleted Threads post, revealing that after 35 years, he was no longer in the band. While the band and Drozd himself have yet to release an official statement, their current drummer, Matthew Duckworth Kirksey, shared his thoughts in an Instagram post today.
“A lot of great friends and better people have come and gone along the way. I still love them, and miss them, and some of them are my family,” wrote Kirksey, who joined the Flaming Lips back in 2014. “This idea that Steven was THE musical genius, and Wayne is just some weirdo artist… Its just not true.”
Kirksey would go on to call the band’s rehearsals “brutal” but “f*cking FUN,” crediting frontman Wayne Coyne’s drive in making their efforts worthwhile. He’d also tease that the Flaming Lips are releasing new music soon and called it “the best thing we’ve done in ages.”
You can read his full statement below:
“Man… hard to read a lot of these comments. Being in a band, for a long time, that never really stops touring is hard. Some People can hack it for 5 years, some people can hack it for 25 years… A lot of great friends and better people have come and gone along the way. I still love them, and miss them, and some of them are my family. I just want to say… If you haven’t heard this newest iteration of the band, give us a shot. The music, and the show is better than ever. And remember… NONE of this ever happens without Wayne. This idea that Steven was THE musical genius, and Wayne is just some weirdo artist… Its just not true. Wayne pushes the creativity, the sound, and the show forward, like no artist I’ve ever been around. Being in The Lips is hard… I remember before I was in the band, I would see them rehearsing for hours and hours and think… man… thats brutal. But once you get to be a part of that vision… its fucking exhilarating. Its fucking FUN. Its Wayne’s drive to be great that makes it all possible. Always has, always will. Derek has been is this band for 16 years. I’ve been in it for 12 years. It’s our blood, sweat, and tears as well. We’ve given our whole selves to this thing… Because we love it, and believe in it. There is new music on the way and I think its the best thing we’ve done in ages. I can’t wait for you to hear it. Come see us this summer if you get a chance. Happy Holidays!”
Drozd himself would take issue with Duckworth’s post and would reply, “I only thought I was messaging with some kid on threads. I’m not claiming anything. So this feels not right to me.”
Rumours of Drozd departing the band began to spread after fans noticed he hadn’t performed with the psych-rock band since last year. His last performance would take place on October 12, 2024, concluding their tour with Weezer at the Acrisure Arena in Thousand Palms, California.
The band have since tapped guitarist A.J. Slaughter to join the lineup and continue without Drozd throughout 2025.
When a fan asked Drozd on Threads last week if he was “officially done with the FLips”, Drozd answered, “They’re done with me – but we’re not talking about it. So yes I’m moving on. Just keep it to yourself for now. OK?”
Drozd joined The Flaming Lips in 1991, several years after the band initially formed. While he began as the group’s drummer, his role evolved over time to include guitars, keyboards, bass, and occasional percussion, alongside backing vocals. He also became a key creative presence, contributing significantly to the band’s songwriting and overall sound.
So far, no other members from The Flaming Lips have shared a statement confirming Drozd’s departure.
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