Northern Wish Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 Terrible news for about 7 of us on here, tumbleweeds for the rest........Sad day IMO:In a statement to fans Franz Nicolay has confirmed that he has left American rockers The Hold Steady.Formed by songwriter Craig Finn, The Hold Steady emerged from the ashes of several well regarded Minneapolis groups. Retaining their punk origins, the band added elements of Americana to great acclaim.Finn's growth as a songwriter saw him compared to Bruce Springsteen, with The Hold Steady's gutsy rock earning acclaim. A but like a Steinbeck novel soundtracked by Husker Du, albums such as 'Stay Positive' have built a loyal fanbase.Now fans have been shocked by the departure of Franz Nicolay. A founding member of The Hold Steady, the multi-instrumentalist helped move the group towards a folk derived direction.Adept a keyboards, accordion and much more Nicolay's role in The Hold Steady can't be understated. However it seems as though the American rockers will have to do without him, with Franz Nicolay confirming the split in a short statement."You should know: I’ve left The Hold Steady" he wrote on his website. "I told the band I’d be leaving in early September, played my last show with them in Minneapolis around Thanksgiving, and dotted the t’s and crossed the i’s this week.""Five years seemed like a nice round number. Thanks to everyone who was a part of the experience, especially the Unified Scene, who are nice folks. I’ll see you all soon in any case."In the meantime, Franz Nicolay has confirmed details of a literary new direction. "My story collection 'Complicated Gardening Techniques' is out next month, “Guignol & Mischief Brew Fighty Dirty†is out now, as is my EP “St. Sebastian of the Short Stage; and I’m producing a record from Brooklyn’s The Debutante Hour." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave-O Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 Wow, didn't see that coming. Obviously piano and keys are crucial to their sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 The band needs a shake up so this might not be so bad in the long run. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northern Wish Posted January 22, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 The band needs a shake up so this might not be so bad in the long run.Based on what Ollie?I can't see them playing a tonne of their songs without Franz. Seriously how could Stevie Nix ever appear again? Or Modesto is not that Sweet with no accordion? This is shocking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zero Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 Forget about those Sean how can they manage One For The Cutters? Their going to need to put out a casting call like Ween did and pluck someone like Glen from Blood, Sweet and Tears. Honestly (well apart from Finn) Niolay was the heart and soul of that band. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 The band needs a shake up so this might not be so bad in the long run.Based on what Ollie?I can't see them playing a tonne of their songs without Franz. Seriously how could Stevie Nix ever appear again? Or Modesto is not that Sweet with no accordion? This is shocking.I just think the band was getting stale on the last album so a shake up of any kind might be a good thing. It's not like they can't hire a replacement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northern Wish Posted January 22, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 Cutters, Margarita, Joke about Jamaica, Crucifixion Cruise.... Not to mention his backup vocals on Massive Nights, Stuck Between....This is not good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northern Wish Posted January 22, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 The band needs a shake up so this might not be so bad in the long run.Based on what Ollie?I can't see them playing a tonne of their songs without Franz. Seriously how could Stevie Nix ever appear again? Or Modesto is not that Sweet with no accordion? This is shocking.I just think the band was getting stale on the last album so a shake up of any kind might be a good thing. It's not like they can't hire a replacement.Clearly you have never see the Hold Steady live. There will be no replacement..... Franz was at least 25% of the show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 Clearly you have never see the Hold Steady live. There will be no replacement..... Franz was at least 25% of the show.I've seen them live.Nobody died here guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AD Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 Chug. Chug. Chug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northern Wish Posted January 22, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 Clearly you have never see the Hold Steady live. There will be no replacement..... Franz was at least 25% of the show.I've seen them live.Nobody died here guys.Of course its not that serious, but my favorite member of my favorite band just left. Like I said at the top of this thread, this is only important news to MAYBE 7 people around here. I didn't count you in that 7...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamilton Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 Chug. Chug. Chug. Doesn't NewRider have to chime in first? I wish he would hurry up - I'm thirsty! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phishtaper Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 Niolay was the heart and soul of that band.he certainly added pizzazz to the band Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradm Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 Chug. Chug. Chug. Doesn't NewRider have to chime in first? I wish he would hurry up - I'm thirsty!I didn't see anything in the rules that says you can't use posts that happened in the past to trigger chugging. There's also nothing in the rules that says you can't re-use posts.Aloha,Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamilton Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 Thank Jebus! Refrigerator full of beer, here I come! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northern Wish Posted January 22, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 The band needs a shake up so this might not be so bad in the long run.Based on what Ollie?I can't see them playing a tonne of their songs without Franz. Seriously how could Stevie Nix ever appear again? Or Modesto is not that Sweet with no accordion? This is shocking. It's not like they can't hire a replacement.What a second.... Does 'ersh play accordion? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradm Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 Does 'ersh play accordion?Fromhttp://www.jambands.ca/sanctuary/showtopic.php?tid/254808oh man... I'm just out on the West coast in the middle of a Trews acoustic tour, during which I've been exclusively 'rocking' the accordion the whole time.Aloha,Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c-towns Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 I guess he finally realized how annoying it is to be in a spoken word ensemble, smart move. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 I didn't count you in that 7......Send a PM next time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c-towns Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 haha, new rider is probably naked in a ditch somewhere with a knife to his wrist rocking uncontrollably, kinda like when I saw him last Saturday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave-O Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 c-towns owns this thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewRider Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 It's not as bad as when Jason Isbell was booted from Drive-By Truckers but it sure does suck. I'm getting a case of beer and riding it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairySari Posted January 23, 2010 Report Share Posted January 23, 2010 I dunno, I'm kinda happy for Franz. I'm sure the Hold Steady will be fine without him. Besides, now that he's announced this, they can start announcing some tour dates. April 14th in Pittsburgh has been announced sort of, so there's bound to be a tour... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorgnor Posted January 23, 2010 Report Share Posted January 23, 2010 You gotta stay positive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Low rain Posted January 23, 2010 Report Share Posted January 23, 2010 CCHHUUUGGG!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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