Oh dear - it seems that Reading-bourne rock types The Cooper Temple Clause have split up. Which would explain why their appearances at the recent Camden Crawl got cancelled, I suppose.

In a statement on the band's official website, guitarist Dan Fisher made a statement that he had decided to leave the leave the band, and in the wake of his departure the rest of the band have decided to call it quits. Fisher was the main songwriter on their debut album, "See This Through and Leave", as well as a major writer on both their follow-ups, "Kick Up The Flames And Let The Fire Break Loose" and the more recent "Make This Your Own".

Among the heartfelt thanks to the fans, Fisher had this to say: "People can say what they like about The Cooper Temple Clause, but the unswerving loyalty and dedication of you guys, the ones who really matter, can never be called into question. From the very beginning you have shone brighter than we could have ever hoped, from the street teams to the forum administrators, from those of you who saw us in the Bull and Gate to those who made the earth shake at Fuji Rock on the other side of the world; we thank you all, each and every one of you. When we stood as children in front of our mirrors brandishing tennis rackets and singing into upturned golf clubs, never did we imagine the fantastic adventure we would embark upon thanks to you, the greatest fans in the world. We can only hope that we touched your hearts as much as you have ours."

What with leaving SonyBMG for Sanctuary, bassist Didz leaving to join Carl Barat's Dirty Pretty Things, and the rather lacklustre response from both public and critics to their latest album, this split is saddening more than it was shocking - they were always a cracking live band.

You can read our interview with Ben Gautrey, ex-singer with the raucous five-piece, that took place late last year right here.