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Jun 01, 2015 By Christopher Roberts Joanna Gruesome

Although their sophomore album, Peanut Butter, only came out a couple of weeks back, Welsh noise pop band Joanna Gruesome have announced that vocalist Alanna Mcardle is leaving the band. Taking her place will be Kate Stonestreet of Pennycress on vocals/shouting/screaming and Roxy Brennan of Two White Cranes, Grubs, Trust Fund, and TOWEL on melodic vocals/keyboards. The band have released a new promo photo featuring the revised lineup as well as some new tour dates featuring the updated band.

Joanna Gruesome and Mcardle released a lengthy statement on Facebook explaining why she’s left the band. It comes off as an amicable separation, with Mcardle explaining that her “mental health problems have become a lot worse” and she needs to “take some time out to focus on some kind of ‘recovery.’” The full statement is below, followed by their new tour dates.

“Hey so we’ve had a line-up change and we’re super super sad to say that Alanna will no longer be playing in the band.

lan joined the band after seeing us play somewhere in London years ago after our previous singer moved away, and since then has been the most amazing vocalist/person/band member/gruesome we could have ever asked for. Just on like a musical level, it’s been incredible writin songs and melodies for someone with such a powerful voice to sing, and her amazin lyrics have always totally improved the aggressive sections of our music. But also in every other way, it’s been so so cool to be in a band with someone we’ve became such great friends with, someone who’s been totally unafraid to hone in on horrible jerks and someone who’s made negotiating the bullshit of music industry types fun and inspiring. It’s taught us loads, we’ve had some of the best times and we totally support her decision. She’s been an amazing person to be in a band with. We will miss her greatly.

Here’s a message from her:

‘Lately, my mental health problems have become a lot worse and I’ve gone through a pretty shitty time. I’ve realised I need to actually take some time out to focus on some kind of ‘recovery’, so I won’t be singing in Joanna Gruesome anymore. I hate to sound cheesy but the time I had in jgro was life-changing. I made friends with so many amazing people, had the chance to play with some of my favourite bands, went to places I’d never been before (metaphysically and geographically) and pissed off a lot of men in the process. I am really proud of everything I’ve done with the band, especially Peanut Butter, and I think we’ve made some really great records. Thanks to everyone who ever put up with me on tour, and anyone who stopped any assholes from hurting other people at our shows xo.’”

Tour Dates:

4 July - Roskilde Festival, Denmark
18 Sep - Islington Mill, Manchester UK
19 Sep - Head Of Steam, Newcastle UK
20 Sep - Brudenell Social Club, Leeds UK
22 Sep - Scala, London UK
23 Sep - Summerhall, Edinburgh UK
24 Sep - Glad Cafe, Glasgow UK
25 Sep - Trades Club, Hebden Bridge UK
26 Sep - Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff UK
29 Sep - The Haunt, Brighton UK
10/24 Chicago IL - Schubas Tavern
10/25 Detroit, MI - UFO Factory
10/26 Toronto, ON - Silver Dollar
10/27 Montreal, QC - La Sala Rossa
10/28 Cambridge MA - The Middle East (Upstairs)
10/29 Philadelphia, PA - PhilaMOCA
10/30 Brooklyn, NY - Rough Trade
10/31 Brooklyn, NY - Shea Stadium
11/01 Washington, DC - DC9
11/02 Carrboro, NC - Cat’s Cradle Backroom
11/03 Atlanta, GA - Drunken Unicorn
11/04 Tallahassee, FL - Club Downunder
11/06-08 Austin, TX - Fun Fun Fun Fest
11/09 Phoenix, AZ - The Rebel Lounge
11/10 Los Angeles, CA - The Echo
11/11 San Francisco, CA - Rickshaw Stop
11/13 Portland, OR - Analog Cafe
11/14 Seattle, WA - The Vera Project
11/15 Vancouver, BC - The Cobalt