Arctic Monkeys on split: "We wanted to move forward"

Band talk about Andy Nicholson departure

Arctic Monkeys have spoken for the first time on the real reasons behind Andy Nicholson's departure from the band. The bassist announced he didn't want to play on this year's US tour and was replaced by Nick O'Malley. Speaking exclusively to NME.COM, singer Alex Turner said: "We sorta found ourselves in a situations where we wanted to move forward. "It weren't like us wanting to carry on like this as punishment for him wanting to opt out." Guitarist Jamie Cooke added: "Everyone might say we're wankers and we shit on him, but they don't know. We know, Andy knows and that's all that really matters." The new look Monkeys are set to play the Main Stage of the Carling Reading and Leeds Festival this weekend (August 25-27). Meanwhile for the full Arctic Monkeys interview get this week's issue of NME, which is out nationwide now.

Src: NME.Com