Scott Dempsey, one of the founding members of Stretch Arm Strong, is no longer a part of the band. Read on to "hear" his statement, but be wary, it's almost as terrible as their last album. Expect a SPB review of his statement in the near future. And yes, he actually wrote "for me is has been my life", it wasn't a typo on my part. Yes it's true after 12 or 13 years of being in this band I have decided to call it quits. This may have been the hardest decision of my life up to this point. Many will never experience a decision like this. To quit something you have been a part of since day one and to quit something that has shaped your life for many years was hard to do to say the least. I don't think many people understand what it means to be in a band for 12 years. If I think about it, it is longer than I have ever been with any job, longer than I have been in any relationship, longer than I have been with anything. Twelve years is a long time. I have been blessed to have been in a band with such a great bunch of guys. True friends, and the best you can ask for in bandmates. Honest dudes. Stretch Arm Strong has always been more to me than just a band. For me is has been my life and even more simple than that, I have decided at this time in my life I am ready to experience things in my life that to me is pretty much impossible while continuing in Stretch Arm Strong. I could go on and on about wonderful times and crappy times but you could only imagine. Chris, David, John, Jeremy, Sean, Swish, I will miss being with you guys dearly. Thanks for understanding and supporting my decision. For anyone who is wondering, the Stretch Arm Strong machine is still pushing forward and some of the biggest endeavors the band has seen are shaping up. As for me, we are doing 2 Columbia shows March 27th and March 28th. Those 2 shows will be my last 2 shows with this band. I hope that you all will come out and be a part of this moment with me and with us. Take Care. Scott D.