Shawn Eckels, known by many as the longtime lead guitarist for Andy Frasco & The U.N. announced on Friday that he has parted ways with the group.
“I have stepped away from playing with Andy Frasco & The U.N.” Eckels wrote in a post on social media. “Sometimes life puts people on different paths. One chapter ends and another begins. I’m so thankful for the healthy mind and body, the love of my family and friends to know I can start a new chapter of the book of Shawn. Nothing but love and well wishes to the boys. The best times of my life were standing on stage with them. Biggest love to the fans, I love you all so very much. I’ll be making music for the rest of my life. See you soon. Grateful for rock n roll.”
Andy Frasco also posted an old photo of him and Shawn alongside a note reading, “Life is made of different chapters and the time has come for a new one to begin. We played and wrote songs with each other for 13+ years, and I will never forget everything he’s tuaght me as a friend and a musician. We wish our brother Shawn the best success in his future endeavors. Grateful for the years of playing and living rock n roll side by side.”
“See you on the road bro,” Frasco’s message concluded. “Can’t wait to see what’s next.”
Shawn Eckels spent several months out of the band’s active lineup late last year as he recovered from a leg injury. Mike Gantzer, formerly of Aqueous, took over in the interim.
Eckels posted in late January that he was “all healed up and back out on tour with the boys. Spread love and joy. That is the mission. …We back.” He later sharedome photos from a show in Solana Beach, CA with the caption, ” [Belly Up Tavern] was on fire last night! I love rock n roll.” Both Frasco and Eckels’ statements stopped short of providing a particular reason for the guitarist’s departure.
Read the posts from both Eckels and Frasco below.
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