Longtime Flaming Lips multi-instrumentalist Steven Drozd has appeared to confirm his exit from the band after more than 30 years. In a now-deleted Threads post, Drozd revealed that the group is done with him, though no official statement has come from the band. Fans had speculated about his status due to his absence from recent shows.
Steven Drozd, a key member of the Flaming Lips since joining in 1991, seemed to acknowledge his departure from the experimental psych-rock band on December 17, 2025. Responding to a fan on Threads who asked if he was "officially done" with the group, Drozd wrote: "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?" The post was quickly deleted but captured and shared online, including by outlets like Stereogum.
Drozd, who started as the band's drummer before expanding to guitars, keyboards, bass, backup vocals, and songwriting alongside frontman Wayne Coyne, had not performed with the Flaming Lips since October 12, 2024. That date marked the end of their tour with Weezer at Acrisure Arena in Thousand Palms, California. When the band resumed touring in January 2025, guitarist A.J. Slaughter filled in, covering Drozd's parts. In a September video, Coyne praised Slaughter's addition, noting he was recommended by multi-instrumentalist Derek Brown and band manager Scott Booker. "All the things that we were doing were just made easier working with A.J.," Coyne said. "Luckily, we were able to find someone that can play on that caliber."
Fans began speculating about Drozd's status months earlier due to his concert absences. Neither the Flaming Lips nor Coyne has commented on the matter, and a band representative declined to provide further details. On December 18, Drozd addressed the slip-up indirectly on Threads: "What do you call it when a Gen Xer makes a Boomer mistake? That’s what I did yesterday here on threads lol." Despite past side projects with Coyne, Drozd had never previously parted ways with the band during his 34-year tenure.