(Velbet) have announced that after their live on December 15th, their drummer Yuu decided to leave the band.
The band posted the following announcement on their OHP:
To all the fans who support Velbet,
We truly thank you for continuously supporting Velbet.
Velbet has an important announcement for everyone.
Our drummer Yuu, who we have been performing with since our formation, left the band after our performance on December 15th.
There were numerous discussions about it between the members, however, this was the solution that we arrived at which was the best for the future of the five members, so we hope that you can understand our decision.
We sincerely apologize to all of the fans for the way that things have turned out.
In 2010, without stopping Velbet will go rushing into activities, so we hope that you can support us.
All the members of Velbet
The members, including Yuu, have all posted comments regarding the decision.
Yuu's Comment
First, I feel that I should apologize from the beginning that the result of everything has come to me leaving the band.
I'm sorry that this was an unexpected announcement which surprised a lot of people.
This was the conclusion that we reached after talking to the members after our live on December 15th.
My reasons for leaving are not due to things like having musical differences, or different values than the other members.
I love Velbet's music.
And I was an important member.
For this reason, I'm glad that we were able to talk and come to the conclusion that we did.
To everyone who has been supporting me, I am truly sorry that I was unable to thank you for everything you've done for me thus far.
I honestly don't know what I'll be doing after this, but I've been playing the drums for more than ten years and it's an important path that I've walked down in my life, so I feel that I will surely not be retiring from music.
It'll be great if someday I can drum again with a smile on my face.
Thanks to all of you, I was able to create many beautiful scenes.
For everything, thank you.
Drums Yuu
Riuki's Comment
First of all, I want to say I'm truly sorry for the suddenness of this announcement.
This is the result of numerous discussions between the members after thinking about everyone's future from hereon out.
For a year now, I've been friends with Yuu.
From here on, the paths we follow will be different, but our friendship will not change.
We've cried together, laughed together, and the past year has been carved into our chests. After this we'll continue on running, so I hope that you can continue to support both Velbet and Yuu.
Finally, Yuu-chan, for everything thus far, thank you.
Even though there were times when we fought, this has really been a fun year.
Even though we'll be walking down different paths, please continue on believing in yourself.
We'll be friends forever.
Riuki
Kirari's Comment
I think that there will be a lot of people who are bewildered by our sudden announcement, but Yuu has left the band.
Yuu has decided to part with us, but it is a result of the five members talking together, and thinking about all of our futures.
From here on in, Yuu will no longer be the drummer of Velbet, but please continue to support him.
Even though he's no longer a member, Yuu is still our close and important friend.
I want you to push your way through the path that you yourself believe in. We too, without stopping, will face forward and push our way, so please continue to support both Velbet and Yuu.
Yuu, for everything that we've walked through together, thank you.
煌-kirari-
Hagiri's Comment
I think that after hearing the sudden announcement about Yuu's departure after the fact, everyone who has been supporting us must feel unhappy, suspicious, and more than anything, sad.
When Yuu and I became partners in Velbet, he was the drummer that I wanted to work with, and I truly can't think of anyone else playing drums.
It's been about a year since we started, and with Yuu's decision to leave, I feel very sorry to all of the fans who have been supporting us. I have had time to honestly think about the future.
However, for all those who cheer us on with smiling faces, and all those who support us, and above all for myself, I feel in my chest that there's still a ways to go and I don't want to stop.
There are still a lot of things that I want to do, and a lot of things for Velbet to do.
I hope that soon, you can understand, but I definitely won't say that I'm asking for you to understand.
However, from here on Velbet will not stop, and with our sights set high, we'll push forward.
Our relationship with Yuu will not change after this.
We'll be friends for a long time, and we'll be good rivals.
To Yuu-chomu,
We laughed a lot, and even though there were times when we fought, part of me is oblivious, and you supported me... so thank you.
I truly, truly love your live performances and your phrases.
For everything, I sincerely thank you.
Everyone who has been supporting Velbet, thank you.
Hagiri
Ryouhei's Comment
It's up until here where together, I work with my acquaintance Yuu as Velbet's rhythm section.
Speaking of the drums, he has a great sense of awareness, Yuu's drumming has an awesome attitude and his enthusiasm makes him look really cool.
I want to stretch out our time together as the rhythm section, we showed each other things, we grew together, and we studied hard together, which was a lot of fun.
I truly feel that if you can do it, just do it.
Who I am now isn't by chance, and I owe thanks to Yuu.
One time, when recording was over, we made a promise.
We promised that we'd both be on the cover of a bass magazine and a drum magazine.
From here on, Yuu and I will be walking down different paths.
However, that dream is something that Yuu and I will promise forever.
Velbet is not stopping.
We'll keep on running.
For my own dreams, for the important people in the Riot Gang, for all those who have supported Velbet, for all the expectations that Velbet has for the next year and onwards, without stopping we'll continue to reach for that elevated place.
Even though it's late, I'm deeply sorry that this announcement was so late, and to all of our fans who have been cheering us on and were made sad by the news.
I will entrust myself to the members of Velbet, together we'll seek further growth, and I feel that these great members all have their goals set high.
I love all of them.
We're more than just friends, it's like a family.
I will continue to be part of Velbet with pride.
I will keep on throwing out the punches.
So, to all our of important Gang members, and to all the Gang members who cheer us on, please continue to stay with us.
All of us will puff up with pride like a Riot Gangster.
For talking to me until the end, you were a reassuring partner.
It's carved in my chest, and I'll keep on fighting.
Yuu-kun, I truly, truly thank you for everything.
Bass Ryouhei
