Wann immer man Flogging Molly hört, denkt man sofort an Bandmitglied und Pro-Skateboarder Matt Hensley. Doch seit letzter Woche sollte manumdenken, denn Matt hat die Band verlassen.

Wie es in dem Email heißt, hat Matt nach 10 Jahren die Band verlassen, um mehr Zeit mit seinem Sohn verbringen zu können. Da Flogging Molly eine Band ist, die immer sehr viel arbeitet und fast das gesamte Jahr über auf Tour ist, hat sich Matt schweren Herzens dazu entschlossen, nicht mehr dabei zu sein.

Hier Matts eigene Worte zu dem Thema:

First let me say that it has been an honor to play with Flogging Molly for the last 10 years. I would have never thought that playing the accordion, an instrument that almost got me shot when I first was learning, would have led me down a road to Molly Malone's, Dave King, and an extended family called Flogging Molly. I have been blessed to be so lucky. I am writing this to tell you that I am leaving the band. This decision was not easy for me. I have an eight year old son Oliver who is becoming a little man, and the feeling that he needs his old man around is becoming too strong for me to ignore. The older my son gets the harder it is for me to leave him behind to go out on tour. Flogging Molly, as you know, is a hard working band that tours most of the year; I would never try to change that. I must follow my guts and step down. I'm departing the band but I will never leave what Flogging Molly has meant to the fans and myself. I look forward to playing on some songs when the band is in San Diego.

I would like to thank all the loyal Flogging Molly fans for the support that you have given throughout the years. It has been a privilege to play music for you. I would also like to thank all the service men and women who have supported the band, may you keep out of harms way. I would like to thank all the bands that let Flogging Molly open for them and all the bands that opened for Flogging Molly. I'd like to thank all the friends and families who have lost someone and feel a little closer to them during IF I EVER LEAVE THIS WORLD ALIVE – I know how you feel, my mom would get nearer every time I played it.

Keep the faith

Matt Hensley