Tuesday 22nd May 2012 by Michael Baggs

Splits of 2012: departures, break-ups and more band casualties

Six months into the year, see who's called time on their music career

Ryan Richards quit Funeral For A Friend: Turning his back on rock and roll for fatherhood, saying as he quit: "I've always put music first in my life - but the time has come now for my family to take the top spot, after patiently waiting and supporting me for the last 10 years and more."

Kai Fish quit Mystery Jets: Also opting for family life over time on the road, Kai Fish called time on his days as a Mystery Jet to spend more time with his daughter Odessa. In an interview with NME, the bassist said: "It was probably the hardest thing I've ever done. I sat down with the guys and said, 'I'm finding being in the band really hard, but I'll try my best to carry on.' And I did, but feelings just don't go away."

Chris Urbanowicz quit Editors: The Editors guitarist quit the band in April 2012, after the band disagreed on their future musical direction, with both the band and Urbanowicz revealing how difficult a decision it was to make. "In 10 years we�ve gone from playing tiny clubs in Birmingham to selling out massive shows across the globe as four friends together so this was a massively painful decision for all of us to make," said the band in an official statement.

Bill Ward quit Black Sabbath 2012 tour: Things got ugly between Black Sabbath and drummer Bill Ward when he was unable to agree on a contract with the band for their 2012 UK tour. Bandmate Geezer Butler said in a statement, "I sincerely regret to inform you that after a final effort to participate in the upcoming Sabbath shows a failure to agree has continued." Ward was later removed from all images on the band's website as the arguement rumbled on...

Kjartan Sveinnsson quit Sigur Ros 2012 tour: Despite planning to remain a part of the Icelandic band, multi-instrumentalist Kjartan Sveinnsson has opted out of joining the four-piece on the road in 2012, with frontman Jonsi Birgisson telling the Reykjavik Grapevine that Sveinsson simply wanted to 'spend his time doing something else'. He will be replaced by three musicians on the band's tour as they promote new album 'Valtari'.

Jet split: Despite never repeating the mainstream success of their debut album 'Get Born' and singles such as 'Are You Gonna Be My Girl', Jet had a career that spanned 11 years and sold over 6.5 million records. They announced their split in March, 2012, telling fans: "From the many pubs, theatres, stadiums and festivals all across the world it was the fans that made our amazing story possible and we wish to thank them all. Thank you, and good night."

Hundred Reason announce end of band: In June 2012, Hundred Reasons announce two live shows - the last they would ever perform together. In a post on their Facebook page, they wrote: "Been a while in the planning, this, but we�re seriously bloody excited about it. This is the final outing for everyone involved, so we hope you�ll join us for a properly good send-off."

Swedish House Mafia split: After a string of huge dance and chart hits, the electronic trio announced their split in June 2012. "It's very easy to just stay content with the machine that is Swedish House Mafia," said Steve Angello. "We've always been about challenging ourselves and doing unexpected things. Maybe it's time to do something different now. We didn't want to end up repeating ourselves."

Baddies split: The Southend band bowed out with a farewell gig at the start of December after announcing their split in July 2012 with 'a collective lump in the throat'. They said: "We're all still great friends / family but it has become an ongoing struggle that's too difficult to continue with. Thankyou and goodnight."

Futures split: Futures announced their split in October of 2012 - with a farewell gig in December. The band thanked fans for their support, saying on Facebook: "Your belief and support has kept our band alive and taken us to places which looking back on, wouldn't have been possible without the thousands of you that come and watch us on tour and buy our music," the statement continues. "It's still one of the best feelings to have every morning, waking up and knowing that, today, someone will be listening to songs we've written." (Photo: Tom Barnes)

INXS split: the 'Need You Tonight' band called time on their career in November 2012 - although many would argue the band were never the same after the death of original frontman Michael Hutchence in 1997.

WU LYF split, frontman quits: Frontman Ellery Roberts called time on the Manchester band after becoming disillusioned with the music world. A farewell note said that should the band want to work together again, then they would reform. He also invites his bandmates to continue working together without him, should they wish.

Nick Hodgson quits Kaiser Chiefs: drummer and songwriter Hodgson quit the band in December 2012, saying: "It has not been an easy decision and one that the boys and I have discussed throughout this year. The band have been incredibly supportive of my decision. I wish them all continued success."

Viva Brother split: Despite launching to huge hype after claiming they would be 'the biggest band in the world', Viva Brother failed to live up to their own expectations and announced their split at the start of April 2012. It wasn't an April Fools joke. The band thanked fans for their support as they called it a day on their less than stellar career.

The King Blues split: Announcing their split in the same week as Viva Brother, The King Blues announced their end in April 2012, telling fans, "We simply feel we have taken things as far as they can go and it would be unfair on you if we were to go through the motions like so many other artists do. We all believe strongly in what The King Blues stands for."

N-Dubz split (via Twitter): We can't decide whether this was good or bad news. A Twitter row between Dappy and Tulisa seemed to finally spell the end of the dreadful UK trio - but at the same time has spawned two solo careers already. A row between the cousins on Twitter concluded with Tulisa speaking of the band's split, as she tweeted: "4 the ndubletts triena take sides... pls remember... dappy left ndubz, that's y we split, n wen he wanted 2 get away I tried 2 move him... In2 my yard" Glad they got that cleared up.

Handsome Furs split: In mid-May, Canadian duo The Handsome Furs called a day on their music career after cancelling all their European live dates for 2012. �With a heavy heart the time has come to let all of you know that Handsome Furs are no more�. The duo are married, but there was no news on whether the split extended to their private life as well.

Funeral For A Friend today (22 May, 2012) announced the departure of their drummer Ryan Richards, who quits the band in order to spend more time with his family.

But Richards' retirement from music is just one in a long line of music splits and quits that have already taken place in 2012. We're not even halfway through the year, so we dread to think who else we'll have lost before the end of the year.

From bands who have said a sad farewell to a long-term member (such as Mystery Jets and Editors) to bands who have called time on their career (such as Viva Brother and Handsome Furs) to bands who have seen members step down from touring duties (such as Sigur Ros and Black Sabbath), check out the break-ups, departures and musical casualties of 2012...

Splits of 2012: departures, break-ups and more band casualties

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