Following four years together, 22-20s have decided to part ways blaming an intensive touring schedule which "put us in a state of arrested development at a crucial time".
In an extremely long statement on Myspace.com/2220s, singer Martin Trimble explains that, in essence, the band has failed to move on from where they were then they formed to a point which is satisfactory. He blames the constant grind of touring for this.
"Listening to Lightnin' Hopkins, Albert King and Buddy Guy made me want to pick up a guitar. What immediately made me fall in love with blues was the rawness, simplicity and the truth of it. I wanted 22-20s to be about taking that essence and using it as fuel to create something both we and other people could relate to.
"I think initially most bands wear their influences on their sleeve but for a number of reasons we've not been able to go beyond that first stage. It was always our desire to start writing and recording a follow-up record as soon as the first studio album was recorded. That didn't happen - we toured for a year and a half. There is a prevailing myth within music that touring is always the hard-working, 'honest' way to connect with people. The reality for
us is that I think it is difficult to move away from a certain sound when you are reminded of it every night. Unfortunately we were not surrounded by people
who understood that."
Trimble revealed that he is currently working on new material.
The band have now shut down their official site www.the22-20s.com following the split.