Rock star says band is ‘better than ever’ following longtime member's departure
Drummer Matthew Duckworth Kirksey claims The Flaming Lips are "better than ever" now that Steven Drozd is no longer part of the band
Duckworth Kirksey addressed Drozd's recent departure in an Instagram post on Sunday, Dec. 21.
"Man… hard to read a lot of these comments," wrote Duckworth Kirksey, who has been part of The Flaming Lips since 2014. "Being in a band, for a long time, that never really stops touring is hard. Some people can hack it for 5 years, some people can hack it for 25 years... a lot of great friends and better people have come and gone along the way. I still love them, and miss them, and some of them are my family."
The musician then commented on the current state of The Flaming Lips, writing, "If you haven't heard this newest iteration of the band, give us a shot. The music, and the show is better than ever."
Drozd joined The Flaming Lips in 1991, eight years after the group was formed, according to Rolling Stone . He started as a drummer, but eventually took on other instruments, namely guitars, keyboards and bass. Drozd also frequently sang backup and wrote songs for the band.
Over the weekend, the musician announced his departure from The Flaming Lips after more than 30 years with the group in a since-deleted reply to a fan on Threads that was shared via Reddit . When asked if he was "officially done with the FLips," Drozd wrote, "They're done with me — but we're not talking about it. So yes I'm moving on. Just keep it to yourself for now. OK?," Consequence reported .
Drozd even commented on Duckworth Kirksey's Instagram post, writing "I only thought I was messaging with some kid on threads. I'm not claiming anything. So this feels not right to me."
In his post, Duckworth Kirksey also refuted claims that Drozd was the creative mastermind of The Flaming Lips instead of frontman Wayne Coyne.
"And remember…NONE of this ever happens without Wayne. This idea that Steven was THE musical genius, and Wayne is just some weirdo artist…It's just not true. Wayne pushes the creativity, the sound, and the show forward, like no artist I've ever been around."
Duckworth Kirksey added that "being in The Lips is hard," and it's "Wayne's drive to be great that makes it all possible."
The drummer concluded, "There is new music on the way and I think it's the best thing we've done in ages. I can't wait for you to hear it. Come see us this summer if you get a chance."
Following a show on New Year's Eve in Washington, D.C., The Flaming Lips have multiple performances lined up for 2026.
Drozd appeared to have played his last show with the Flaming Lips on their tour with Weezer at the Acrisure Arena in Thousand Palms, California on Oct. 12, 2024, Rolling Stone reported. The Lips were joined by guitarist A.J. Slaughter when they went back on tour in January 2025. Slaughter has performed with the group throughout the year .
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