Following Steven Drozd's confirmation of his exit from the Flaming Lips, longtime drummer Matthew Duckworth Kirksey issued a statement defending the band's creative direction under frontman Wayne Coyne and teasing upcoming music he called the best in ages.
Steven Drozd announced his departure from the Flaming Lips last week in a now-deleted Threads post, ending a nearly 35-year tenure that began in 1991 as guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, and key songwriter alongside Wayne Coyne.
On December 21, 2025, drummer Matthew Duckworth Kirksey—who joined in 2014—posted a statement via the band's Instagram, addressing the band's evolution. He reflected on the rigors of long-term touring: "Being in a band, for a long time, that never really stops touring is hard. Some people can hack it for 5 years, some people can hack it for 25 years… A lot of great friends and better people have come and gone along the way."
Kirksey refuted notions of internal dynamics, stating, "This idea that Steven was THE musical genius, and Wayne is just some weirdo artist… It's just not true." He lauded Coyne: "Wayne pushes the creativity, the sound, and the show forward, like no artist I've ever been around." Describing rehearsals as "brutal" yet "fucking FUN," Kirksey and 16-year bandmate Derek affirmed their dedication: "We've given our whole selves to this thing… Because we love it, and believe in it."
Looking forward, Kirksey announced new music "the best thing we've done in ages" and encouraged fans to catch upcoming summer shows: "If you haven't heard this newest iteration of the band, give us a shot. The music, and the show is better than ever."
Neither the band nor Coyne has issued an official statement on Drozd's exit, though the two have collaborated on side projects in the past without Drozd previously leaving.