Hoodoo Gurus Consider Split As Drummer Retires

Long-time drummer for the Hoodoo Gurus, Mark Kingsmill is set to retire from the band, with the outfit admitting they contemplated breaking up as a result.

The Aussie rock stalwarts confirmed the news yesterday on their Facebook, revealing that the drummer, who has been with the band for 30 years, will officially retire at the end of March.

While they didn't reveal a lot about Kingsmill's decision to retire, the post did say he "had enough of this vagabond rock 'n' roll lifestyle we all lead."

"We in the Gurus have been sitting on some very significant news for a couple of months now but, as we have no gigs this weekend, now's as good time as any to break the news: Mark Kingsmill, our drummer for the last 30 years, is retiring from the band at the end of March," the post began.

"I won't invade Mark's privacy by going into elaborate detail about his reasons other than to say he feels he's had enough of this vagabond rock 'n' roll lifestyle we all lead. Though he still enjoys playing drums, Mark has completely lost his appetite for the endless travelling and the many hours of hotel room boredom. The physical demands of playing the drums as energetically as he does are also exacting a higher toll on his body than ever before. Really, who can blame him for wanting a change?

"None of us want to see him go and, to be honest, we even contemplated breaking up the band rather than try to replace him. Apart from all the personal upheaval that his retirement entails (yeah, we're gonna really miss him!) there will also be a significant change to the band's musical personality. Mark, like James Baker before him, has a unique style of drumming and no-one else will ever be able to replicate it. Inevitably our sound will change - it's up to Brad, Rick and I to make sure that the next person is as inspirational a player as Mark has always been, and that we don't diminish as a band. That will be no mean feat but, trust us, we will not settle for anything less than someone we feel is a perfect fit."

As previously mentioned, Kingsmill had joined the band just over 30 years ago, replacing original drummer James Baker.

You can read the full post here.