Only days after Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' performances for All Tomorrow's Parties, one of the founding members of the Bad Seeds - Mick Harvey - has announced he is leaving the group.

Widely regarded as the most indispensible member of the Bad Seeds, Mick Harvey has been with the group since their debut effort From Her To Eternity, and has played alongside Nick Cave ever since the days of the Boys Next Door in the late 70s, and The Birthday Party in the early 80s.

His statement:

For a variety of personal and professional reasons I have chosen to discontinue my ongoing involvement with Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. After 25 years I feel I am leaving the band as it experiences one of its many peaks; in very healthy condition, and with fantastic prospects for the future. I’m confident Nick will continue to be a creative force and that this is the right time to pass on my artistic and managerial role to what has become a tremendous group of people who can support him in his endeavours both musically and organisationally. It was a fantastic experience to finish my touring days in the band with the recent shows in Australia and the unique events that took place in conjunction with All Tomorrow’s Parties, especially Mt. Buller, which was one of the many highlights of my involvement with the band throughout the years. I shall continue working on the Bad Seeds back catalogue re-issues project over the coming year and look forward to the new opportunities I shall be able to accommodate as a result of my changed circumstances.

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