PLACEBO had a major lineup change on Monday. The day started with a published statement saying that Steve Forrest, drummer for the band since 2008, was no longer a part of the group.

Steve has toured with them over the last two album campaigns Battle For The Sun and Loud Like Love and was the one who has decided to leave the band. The split is very amicable and Steve was keen to pursue his own musical ambitions, and has been writing and recording his own material over the last few years.

Brian Molko and Stefan Olsdal would like to thank Steve for all his work with the band and wish him all the very best in his future career. They went on to announce that Matt Lunn, from Colour of Fire, would be the band's new touring drummer. On their Facebook page, they elaborated on the new member:

INTRODUCING NEW TOURING DRUMMER, MATT LUNN.



PLACEBO will embark on their biggest UK and Irish tour in recent years, starting on 25th February with a sold out show at the Olympia in Dublin and ending with two nights at Hammersmith Apollo in London on the 24th and 25th March.

Brian Molko and Stefan Olsdal, original members since the band's formation in 1994, remain the two permanent players in the group. Founding drummer Robert Schultzberg left the band in 1996 followed by Steve Hewitt from 1996 to 2007 and Forrest from 2008 until today.