Population Four, are dead.

Consider this a eulogy.

Around 2 months ago Si told us he would be leaving the band. We took our time about telling people this, and it wasn’t until a few weeks before the show in December we decided to let people know.

Between now and then Myself, Dave, Cooko and Ceres’ have been in a state of uncertainty, Part of me thinks this was just a way of prolonging the inevitable demise of our band and part of me thinks it was out of a genuine desire to try and continue making music together. In the end we decided that without Si it wouldn’t be the same and because of that, we’ve decided to call time on Population Four.

During the lifespan of our band I’ve spent, as near as I can work out, 1000 days practicing with, playing a show with, or just hanging out with Dave, Si, Ceres and Cooko. They are my dearest and closest friends and I’m sure the impact having spent all that time with them has had on my life will continue long in to the future.

In the past 4 years, I’ve spent all my spare time, every spare penny I have on band. We’ve all made colossal sacrifices to do this. And not just in terms of time and money. We’ve all made sacrifices in a thousand other little (and huge) ways, which no one else really knows about.

I speak for myself, and I hope the other guys, when I say that none of us will harbour any regrets about the time we spent together playing music in our angry Rock and Roll band. We’ve been given the opportunity to play with so many brilliant bands, underground and mainstream. I consider it an accolade to say that if I put together a play list of music made up exclusively from musicians that we’ve played with. It would be a brilliant listen.

There have been a huge supporting cast of people who have been on this ride with us, You all know who you are, and I want to thank each and every single one of you from the very bottom of my heart for any, and all, of the contributions you have made to enrich our lives. I’m sure we didn’t deserve them, and I’m sure you don’t realize how much we appreciate it.

If you ever came up to us and said hey after a show, if you ever bought one of our records, or even if you downloaded our stuff from you tube then thank you for being a part of this, If you ever told one for us you liked our band, or encouraged us to keep doing it then thank you, If you ever booked us or helped us shift gear, or bought Ceres a drink in warehouse then, again, Thank you. I will however reserve a special mention in dispatches for Joe Sutton, who was in all honesty the 6th member of our band.

December 23rd 2011 was our last show. Thank you to all who came, god knows the stage at Rampage wasn’t up to handling how much rock we bought (I’m pretty sure there are at least two holes in it after we had finished.)

Being in a band has always been an adventure to me, It was always the first thing I told people about myself, It was always the thing I was most proud of, and I believe it has been the thing I’ve been best at. It’s allowed me to meet some fantastic people, and spend some pretty amazing times with them.

Finally, and I hope I speak for all of the guys when I say this, I’m proud to be able to say I spent the past 4 years doing EXACTLY what I wanted with my life. and I’m damn sure not very many people can say that. But times change, and we are certainly not the kids we used to be, so I guess time for the next adventure.

I know some of the guys will be working on new music, I’m so not sure I will be. In fact I’m pretty sure I’m going to be doing something very different with myself, But keep your eye (and ears) on what they’ll all be up to because I’m sure it’s going to be great.

Please go out and participate in, or just plain enjoy music; it will make your life better.

Love From Rick. Population Four.

Population Four (and Joe) In pictures.

2008?

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2011

Last Show