Blindspott will say goodbye with a tour.
Blindspott ended the silence on their last album and now, after 10 years, they're ending it all.
The Auckland band have called it quits to focus on other projects.
Since forming in West Auckland in the late 90s they became one of this country's highest-profile rock acts securing
two number-one albums, a loyal fanbase who helped push their heavy brand of music into the mainstream, and touring nationally and internationally.
"Blindspott will always be a huge part of us and we couldn't have done it without our amazing fans," said singer Damian Alexander.
In between their debut self-titled album, which featured hits Nil By Mouth and S.U.I.T., and last year's follow up, End the Silence, original members DJ Karl Vilisini and bass player Gareth Fleming left the band. Plus, courtesy of drummer Shelton Woolright and his high-profile relationship with model Nicky Watson, the band have had more than their fair share of non-music exposure.
Last year, around the time End the Silence was released, Woolright said seeing his love life being aired in public was "the biggest life lesson" and he wished it had never happened. But, he told the Herald, it was the band, and his music, that helped him get back on track.
It took nearly four years to release the band's follow-up album and many didn't think it would ever come out, including guitarist Marcus Powell - "We kinda needed band counselling," he said last year.
But it did, went straight to number one and sold more than 20,000 copies.
"It's been a crazy 10 years for Blindspott but it's time for us to pursue our own personal and musical direction," said Alexander, who plans to focus on a solo musical project and his design career.
Meanwhile, Powell and Woolright are heading to Britain with their new band and bass player Dave McDermott, a concert promoter.
To thank their fans the band are setting out on one last 12-date nationwide tour in August starting in Napier at Sideline Bar on August 8 with tickets on sale from Tuesday from Ticketek and Real Groovy. They also play Altitude, Hamilton, August 23; Stampede Bar, Auckland, August 24; Powerstation, Auckland, August 25.
* For full tour dates go to myspace.com/blindspott
