Jericco Are Splitting Up After One Last Dream Show At The Corner Hotel

Stalwart Melbourne heavyweights Jericco are closing the door on a seven-year career this November, but not before they cross off their goal of headlining a show at their home town's iconic Corner Hotel.

In a statement, vocalist Brent McCormick reflected on the band's "long and awesome journey" — they released two EPs, two full-lengths and live album over the years since 2009, not to mention knocking over a slew of well-received shows and tours all over the country — and paid homage to its laundry list of contributors, including three drummers, five guitarists and a manager-cum-keyboardist.

"Each and every person who reads this would have and still probably has a connection or memory with one or more of the past members of Jericco," McCormick said. "Even though they won't play in this final line-up, they will always have a place in our hearts and yours.
"

Along with McCormick, the band's personnel at the time of their founding in 2009 included bassist/oud player Roy Amar, drummer Luke Halstead, guitarist Jordan Nagle and keys player Fetah Sabawi. Of those members, McCormick and Amar have remained with the band throughout its career, with their final iteration also including guitarist Anthony Connelly and guitarist Aiden King.

"It's such a strange feeling making this decision, as our band and this amazing group of people have been our life and our family for so many years," McCormick continued. "We put everything we had into Jericco and we made sacrifices that affected our families, friends & partners.

"Running an independent band takes its toll emotionally and financially and every member we have had past and present have offered everything they had without question. They put it all on the line. We, Brent and Roy, as the remaining original members are and will be forever grateful for that. We are all brothers & always will be."

Despite the strains, McCormick says he wouldn't change a thing if he had his time over, explaining, "All the decisions we have made over the years, some good, some bad, we stand by," and lamenting that the hardest part about letting go will be saying goodbye to the faithful fans who filled the band's audiences night after night. 

"For an independent band with the odds stacked against us, we had such a committed bunch of fans, which is why we kept doing it," he said. "We knew people out there wanted us to and we would see all the same faces at our gigs that where there from the start. It’s those fans that came to show after show, the ones we recognised and the ones we had beers with and the ones who sang along, that’s what made it so special and so hard to give up.

"Brent always said that if we get more than 10 people at a show then we won, and in seven years we won every time. Keeping the band together is simply not possible — we all have this beautiful thing called life happening around us and to us. We are going out happy and on our own terms."

Jericco will play their final show, at the Corner Hotel, on Saturday 5 November. Supports will be announced in the near future. For further details, see Bear Parts Music's website.

Read the band's full statement below the clip.

It's been a long and awesome journey for Jericco. Over the past 7 years we’ve played with 3 drummers (Luke, Matt & Aiden), 5 guitarists (Brian, Jordan, Adam, Kris & Anthony) and a keyboard playing manager (Fetah). Each and every person who reads this would have and still probably has a connection or memory with one or more of the past members of Jericco. Even though they won’t play in this final lineup they will always have a place in our hearts and yours.


After 2 EPs, a live album, 2 full length albums and countless tours and shows across our beautiful country - we have decided to call it a day.


It’s such a strange feeling making this decision, as our band and this amazing group of people have been our life and our family for so many years. We put everything we had into Jericco and we made sacrifices that affected our families, friends & partners. Running an independent band takes its toll emotionally and financially and every member we have had past and present have offered everything they had without question. They put it all on the line. We, Brent and Roy, as the remaining original members are and will be forever grateful for that. We are all brothers & always will be.

There is nothing about the journey of the band that we would change if we had our chance to do it all again. All the decisions we have made over the years, some good, some bad, we stand by. We stand by the songs we wrote because you ain't got nothing without your songs. You also ain't got nothing without your fans. For an independent band with the odds stacked against us, we had such a committed bunch of fans - which is why we kept doing it. We knew people out there wanted us to and we would see all the same faces at our gigs that where there from the start. It’s those fans that came to show after show, the ones we recognised and the ones we had beers with and the ones who sang along, that’s what made it so special and so hard to give up.

Brent always said that if we get more than 10 people at a show then we won and in 7 years we won every time. Keeping the band together is simply not possible – we all have this beautiful thing called life happening around us and to us. We are going out happy and on our own terms.

We are not going to thank everyone by name so that we don’t leave anyone out. You guys know who you are. Even if we name you all, words will never be enough to say thank you to our friends, fans, sound engineers, bands we’ve toured with, bands who have inspired us, industry colleagues, booking agents, producers, tour managers, mentors and our families.

We will be playing our last show at the Corner Hotel in Melbourne on Saturday the 5^th of November and we hope to see you all there, for one last time..

Much love - Brent, Roy, Aiden and Anthony