hello all. it is with great sadness that i am writing this letter. After four years of playing with Codename: Rocky, i have decided to leave the band to pursue an education. As many of you may or may not know, I have been a regular everyday all-day pot smoker for the last few years and i have actually spent this last month getting sober. This sobriety has given me an entirely new outlook on life in general and has really made me re-evaluate my priorities. I love playing music. I love it to death. I love it to the point where I didn't even want to enroll in school so that i could take on whatever opportunity came to us as a band, whether it be touring, recording, etc. But time takes its toll.

Having taken the time to think about the years I have spent in a band since I was 14, I have come to the conclusion that I really have not taken very good care of myself. Not to say that playing in a band is bad for me, but at the same time I feel like it is holding me back from growing up a little bit. But I also am aware it is not the only reason. I blame a lot on the herb too. Through this last month, I have come to a place where I feel the need to look out for myself for a little while. And to me, looking after myself entails going to school and getting my degree. I have to make school my number one job if I'm going to accomplish it. People have tried to tell me that I can do both at the same time, but to me it's like I need to be 100% into something to make it good. I believe that if I tried to do school and the band at the same time, it would be self-defeating. I would only contribute 50% to each, if that. I would be spreading myself too thin, so to speak. Not by choice, but by natural reaction. And i don't feel that my band- mates or myself deserve that. That is the reason why I feel like I can't do both right now. So, I will be playing all of our shows until the end of June.

For those of you wondering if this means the end of Codename: Rocky, don't worry. We are in the process of finding a new drummer. All the guys in the band, as well as close friends and family, have been more than supportive and understanding of why I am doing what I am doing. This is one decision I never thought I would make. It's not particularly a decision I WANT to make, but for my well-being it's one that I NEED to make. Like I said, I have no intentions of quitting music at all. I just need to get through school already, damnit!!

And now for the sappy part, but i don't really care because i need to do it. I have had sooooo much fun in the last few years. I have met an amazing amount of incredible people, seen an amazing amount of incredible bands, and played some damn incredible clubs. I feel truly blessed with all the things we've been able to do through out the years and I will remember them forever. Thank you to the scene in general for being more than cool to me and the bands that I've played with. Thank you to all the promoters and clubs that have let us rock their stage. Thank you to all the bands that have shown us so much love. Thank you to all the fans for being the reason we're still here. Thank you to all of the extended and immediate Codename: Family for everything you've done for us. Last but most definately not least, THANK YOU to my six brothers in Codename: Rocky, with whom I've gotten to share four extraordinary years with. I can't believe we've done as much as we have. Those memories will never fade, and I am confident that you guys will continue to rock.