Following multi-instrumentalist Steven Drozd‘s announcement last week that he and the Flaming Lips had parted ways, some of his bandmates have weighed in on the situation. On Tuesday, co-founding Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne refuted Drozd’s characterization of the split, saying “the reason [Drozd] left is sad, and infuriating.” The band also shared a statement from Matt Duckworth Kirksey, its drummer since 2014, objecting to the narrative that Drozd was the band’s creative epicenter.
“For anybody who read Stevens post about the reason he is no longer in the Flaming Lips … I can say that is absolutely not true,” Coyne posted on Instagram. “[T]he reason he left is sad , and infuriating…. it is HIS responsibility to tell everyone what happened… what he told everyone was a lie ….I was trying to give him ( Steven ) his own space and time to let everyone know what REALLY happened… I will post more in just a few days ❤️❤️❤️❤️”
Drozd had been absent from all Flaming Lips shows throughout 2025, leading many to speculate whether he was still in the band. Last Thursday, one fan asked on Threads if Drozd was “officially done with the F Lips,” to which he responded in a since-deleted post, “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?” After the story gained widespread attention, he went into further detail in another Threads post.
“Hey freex- to anyone that would like to know: At the end of 2024 I started to think it would be best for me and my family if I didn’t tour anymore,” Drozd posted Sunday night. “So, I didn’t tour in 2025 and it felt right. Then, it just kinda went from there. Wayne and I have parted ways after 33-34 years. I’m making some new music I’m excited about and plan to have an LP out in spring or summer. I can’t thank all the fans enough for support and concern, and I wish the Lips well.”
Between Drozd’s initial statement and the follow-up, drummer Matt Duckworth Kirksey weighed in on the developments. Following Drozd’s announcement, many fans and publications pointed to Steven’s work on groundbreaking albums The Soft Bulletin (1999) and Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (2002). The Flaming Lips have seen many lineup changes over the years since forming in 1983, but Coyne and Drozd have remained at the group’s creative forefront for decades. According to Kirksey, however, many fans and critics were shortchanging Coyne’s contributions to the band in the wake of Drozd’s departure.
“If you haven’t heard this newest iteration of the band, give us a shot. The music, and the show is better than ever,” Kirksey posted on Sunday. “And remember… NONE of this ever happens without Wayne. This idea that Steven was THE musical genius, and Wayne is just some weirdo artist… Its just not true. Wayne pushes the creativity, the sound, and the show forward, like no artist I’ve ever been around.”
Kirksey also teased that “There is new music on the way and I think its the best thing we’ve done in ages.” The Flaming Lips’ last album, American Head, arrived in 2020. In addition to now serving as Drozd’s last studio effort with the group, it was also the last to feature bassist Michael Ivins, who co-founded the band with Coyne in 1983 and left in 2021. AJ Slaughter filled in for Drozd on guitar and keyboards for 2025 before his departure was announced.
See the full posts from Wayne Coyne, Matt Duckworth Kirksey, and Steven Drozd about the latter’s split from The Flaming Lips. The band is set to celebrate New Year’s Eve at The Anthem in Washington, D.C. and play Rendezvous Music Festival and Outside Days in 2026. Find tickets and tour dates here.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
