There's been a parting of the ways for Cardiff's International Karate Plus, with an announcement last night that three have become two.
Remaining members, Mike Carter and Chris Sklavounos, issued the following statement:
It's a sad occasion for us to announce the departure of Richard Arnold from The IK+ as of Friday 3rd March 2006. Rich has decided that he cannot continue with his role in the IK+ for personal reasons. We are deeply upset by his departure and Rich will be missed. We shall remain friends, as our friendship spans much, much further than The IK+.
The International Karate Plus' debut album, The International Delay, was about to go to press; obviously our label is reluctant to put it out now, however it will hopefully see a download-only release in the very near future.
The International Karate Plus will continue - at present it is just the two of us (Mike Carter and Chris Sklavounos). We have one show booked - Saturday 8th April at The Pleasure Unit, Bethnal Green, London. We hope you can make it. All other shows are cancelled until further notice.
We would like to thank everybody who has supported us for the last three years and hope that you will continue to do so for the next chapter of The International Karate Plus.
We really need to hear from you so please send your thoughts to theikplus@ntlworld.com
Check our MySpace for all the happenings in the next days/weeks/months - http://www.myspace.com/theikplus.
Thanks for your time,
Mike Carter and Chris Sklavounos
The International Karate Plus
So that's a bummer, aint it!