Drummer BRIAN TICHY Explains His Departure From WHITESNAKE

Renowned drummer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Brian Tichy, known for his tours of duty with BILLY IDOL, FOREIGNER and OZZY OSBOURNE, announced his departure from WHITESNAKE last Friday (January 4) in order to focus on SOMETHING UNTO NOTHING (S.U.N.),the band he started with Sass Jordan, a Canadian icon and Juno Award winner. Bassist and singer Michael Devin, also a participant in S.U.N., will remain with WHITESNAKE.

In a brand new statement posted on his Facebook page, Tichy explained his departure from WHITESNAKE, saying: "My decision to leave WHITESNAKE has already been announced by David Coverdale but I wanted to at least give a bit of my own explanation and be clear on why this decision was made because it is a simple yet heavy one; heavy 'cause it involves jumping off a cliff while you were seemingly and supposedly fine on solid ground. It's a reason that you will only understand if you exist with any amount of dreams, goals, ambition and desire to get to that place you haven't been.

"First off, WHITESNAKE will obviously be fine without me. I gave 100% while in the band, with full intent on making David and the [rest of the band] proud I was behind them as their drummer. If still in WHITESNAKE, I would yet again be giving David Coverdale and the guys 100% in 2013, and I'd have a blast doing it!

"I will never complain about being paid to be an adult that plays in the bands he used to practice to since he was 9 years old! And I will never ever give less than 100% when behind a kit of drums because it is my life. It ties everything together for me.

The change of musicians in bands is nothing new. My idols left this band too. But I do think my reason is a little different than the others'.

"Life is short. Each year is a solid chunk of time to hopefully get closer to all the things you have thought of attempting to achieve throughout your whole life. My December 30 mountain bike accident and January 1 surgery had absolutely nothing to do with my decision; but it certainly made it all the more easier to write it down with total clarity and without any second guessing.

"I've always played guitar. I've always written music. I've always wanted to be in my band! I have a new band, S.U.N., that I am beyond proud of. It is with a person, singer Sass Jordan, who is also as passionate about music and our band as I am. We sit on the same page in S.U.N. without worry about the other person's level of commitment.

"Sass is a lifer in music. She only does this. And she does it better than most. When you have something like that sitting at your fingertips and you both truly believe in it, you don't just put it on the shelf. What you do is figure out HOW you are going to make this new band AND everything else in your lives work together, regardless of the looming uphill battle and tiny percent ratio of something like this becoming a true force to be reckoned with. But that's where the confidence and experience come into play. I'd like to think we made a record that is a solid piece of rock that will hold its own next to anything. How will I know if I am right or wrong if I just 'talk talk talk' about it? I've got live it and let this band have a fair shot, or else I might as well just call it 'a cute little project I do if I have free time.' Haha! That is boring and goofy. We've worked hard and we will work hard. I can't give it its fair shot if I am giving WHITESNAKE 100%. And like I said, WHITESNAKE is WHITESNAKE. It rolls around the planet as a total and complete success, whether YOU like it or not. It's just it. When David says, 'Let's tour,' a lot of people become employed and have a solid amount of work for the year. So yeah, that's a success right there.

"I owe David Coverdale a big, fat 'thank you' for allowing me to be myself in his band. The man simply told me to play how I play and make his band and its music sound like a kick-ass rock 'n' roll freight train. He trusted me. He trusted that after having Paice, Powell, Dunbar, Aldridge and Frazier (some of the world's best drummers!),I could be the guy to get the job done! I also thank him for treating his band with complete respect and always being open to tell stories and answer questions having to do with this biz and everything he has been through. You learn a lot from a guy like that when you shut up and listen. Come on, from Blackmore to Page??!!! Sorry, it don't get bigger! But mainly I owe David a thanks for all the inspiration and for clearly letting me see that if you want something, you better at least TRY to get it. I am going to try. I watch him onstage and offstage, and see this icon that took his amazing gift and worked it hard and watched it all pay off in ways that most cannot fathom.

"I will, of course, always be a drummer and continue to work as a drummer and do all the things that drummers do. But I am allowing there to be an open road that I can now attempt to fill with all the stuff I have yet to do; the main thing being S.U.N. Basically, it would be pretty badass, (as I told David) if down the road, he can see me and say, 'Damn, Tichy went for it and did it.' With that, I intend on making David proud, proving lots to myself and getting S.U.N. out there and making a dent!

"Thanks to all the awesome WHITESNAKE fans who have been so understanding and accepting of my decision. I know who I'd like to see back on drums in WHITESNAKE! But whoever it is, it will be the right decision because it's David's! So, go buy the S.U.N. 'Something Unto Nothing' record with me on guitar and drums, Sass as the Interplanetary Mountain Goddess, Michael Devin on bass (who yes, will remain a member of WHITESNAKE) and Tommy Stewart on live drums! See us January 19th at Key Club in L.A. and at the Bonzo Bash January 24th. Our record has gotten insanely stellar reviews and I think that's 'cause we have approached the record the old-fashioned way; NO CLICK TRACKS AND NO AUTO TUNE B.S.! Focus on the natural groove within. Worry about the songs and the sounds. We are Loud Gypsy Rock!! 'Veni, Vidi, Rocky!'"