Neighbor has announced founding guitarist Lyle Brewer will step away from the band in 2025, with Dopapod‘s Rob Compa set to fill his place.
“After 6 years, hundreds of shows, a studio album and countless national tours I have made the difficult decision to step away from Neighbor,” Brewer wrote in a note to fans. “I have had a wonderful time sharing the stage and the road with my brothers Rick, Dan and Dux. These guys have given me friendship, camaraderie, and a lifetime of musical memories that I’ll never forget. Thank you for always having my back and pushing me to be my best.”
He went on to thank Neighbor’s fans for helping the band “to believe in ourselves,” adding, “You were the ones who helped us push ourselves musically, to take risks, to think big, to be serious and to be silly. Without this group of dedicated, supportive and enthusiastic people there is no Neighbor. I feel that the band doesn’t belong to me, it really belongs to you all.”
Brewer helped found Neighbor in 2019 alongside his childhood friend and neighbor Richard James on keyboards, Dean “Dux” Johnston on drums, and Dan Kelly on bass. The band amassed a dedicated fanbase with weekly residencies in the Boston area and has continued to attract new followers over the past six years with a series of national tours and festival appearances.
In his announcement, Brewer named Rob Compa as his replacement, calling him “the only person I would trust to take the reins.” Compa’s band Dopapod recently played its final show before going on an indefinite hiatus on New Year’s Eve.
“When Rick, Dan, Dux and I discussed a replacement I immediately thought of Rob for a number of reasons,” Brewer explained. “1. He is a stone cold guitar player and a superhuman musician. 2. He is a wonderful guy. 3. He sings like a bird, I sing more like a congested frog. All kidding aside, he is my first choice for a replacement. I absolutely love his playing and singing and I know he will do a great job taking Neighbor into its next chapter.”
He concluded the statement by saying he’d miss seeing the fans and that his final show will be at The Cabot Theatre in Beverly, MA on February 23rd. “Neighbor is about much more than one person, and I know that the group will carry on and the fanbase will do the same,” he said before signing off, “Love you from the bottom of my heart, LYLE.”
Remaining members James, Johnston, and Kelly expressed gratitude and sorrow in response to Brewer’s departure, writing, “Today is very difficult for us, but also very exciting, as we announce the departure of our guitarist Lyle Brewer, and welcome our long time friend and guitarist Rob Compa from Dopapod into the band.”
Their statement continued:
Lyle is the best, there’s no other way to put it. Respected around the world for his innate skill as a guitarist, and revered by not only anyone who takes the time to listen to his original music, but also by the boat loads of students from across the globe that spend time studying from him at Berklee and beyond. We’re excited to see what’s next for our brother Lyle, and we all hope you’ll follow his musical journey forward as he continues to break barriers of what’s possible on the guitar. Lyle, we thank you for everything you’ve helped us accomplish, and have nothing but the utmost respect for you. Your friendship, your hard work and diligence, your insane musical ideas, and determination to push the boundaries musically all while being a great family man has been incredibly inspiring. Thank you!
The band went on to say Rob Compa will make his debut with Neighbor playing second guitar at The Cabot during Lyle’s final show. “As far as Rob goes, we couldn’t find a better fit for Neighbor. He walked into the rehearsal room with us, delivered his own unique approach to the music, nailed the composed sections of the music, and dove straight into the deep end commanding some heavy improvisation that blew us all away!” They wrote.
“With Rob, the future of Neighbor is in very good hands, and we can’t wait to experience all of the new and exciting music that we’re about to make together as both musicians, and friends.”
Rob Compa also penned a statement expressing his excitement about joining the band. “I am both excited and humbled to join my friends Neighbor as my good friend Lyle Brewer pursues other endeavors,” he said.
Lyle is not only one of my favorite guitarists in the world, but also one of the finest musicians on the planet, and more importantly a dear friend. I have always had great admiration for my Neighbor friends as songwriters, players, and people.
I am truly honored to be trusted with this responsibility, and I am thrilled to see what kind of music we can make together, and also what incredible things Lyle has in store for the future.
ROB
Read the full statements from Lyle Brewer and Rob Compa below. Neighbor is set to embark on a winter tour starting tomorrow, Thursday, January 16th, with shows around the Northeast and Colorado spanning the rest of January, February, and March. For a full list of upcoming shows and ticketing details, visit the band’s website.
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