Belfast electronic duo Oppenheimer have sadly decided to call it a day after 5 years on the go, achieving some success in the form of a dedicated local following, a number of headline shows, songs appearing in ‘Ugly Better’ and ‘How I Met Your Mother’ as well as touring with They Might Be Giants in 2007 and 2008.

Although their second album, ‘Take the Whole Midrange and Boost It’, didn’t reach the success of the first self-titled record, it had some great tunes such as ‘Stephen McCauley For President’, ‘Only Goal & Winner’ and ‘Before and After the Quake’. Though it was always going to be tough to top ‘Breakfast in NYC’ and ‘OK, Let’s Take This Outside’ as on the first album.

The reasons for this announcement are multiple yet highly intertwined. Ultimately, to be in any band you allow the band to consume you, becoming every particle of your existence, every aspect of your being, every thought that wakes you up early and every task that keeps you up late at night.

The reward for such dedication and commitment, not to mention the hardship that goes hand in hand with making music for a living is the unrivalled joy and honour that fills your mind, body and soul by getting to do all the things that you can.

The moment this joy falters, rocks or is jolted out of existence, the struggle is of no consequence or purpose.

After five years together, recording and releasing two albums, playing hundreds of shows and touring with some of the greatest bands in the world, the level of commitment, passion and drive that one of us can give to the band has changed. – official statement

It’s always sad to see a band decide that it’s time to move on, but I’m sure we can be safe in the knowledge that they will have other musical projects planned for our ears.

They will be releasing a farewell EP early in the new year with new material they had been working on, and have a few gigs coming up with their last to be in Belfast in a week’s time.

11th Dec SET Theatre (with Bell X1) – Killkenny
12th Dec The Forum (with Bell X1) – Waterford
17th Dec Baker Place – Limerick
18th Dec Mason’s (Free) – Derry
19th Dec Spring & Airbrake (All ages, afternoon) – Belfast
19th Dec Spring & Airbrake (18+, 11pm) – Belfast

I wish Shaun and Rocky the best of luck for the future.

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