Editor’s note: this story has been updated with a statement about Pope’s replacement.
Spoon bassist Rob Pope is leaving the band after almost 13 years. He announced the news on Instagram on Tuesday (July 9), writing, “As Spoon’s bass player since 2006, I’ve never taken for granted the thrills and challenges that have come with being in this band. Now, after some serious thought, the timing feels right for me to leave Spoon in order to spend more time with family and personal projects.”
Pope has appeared on four of the group’s albums, including 2007’s Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, 2010’s Transference, 2014’s They Want My Soul and 2017’s Hot Thoughts. Pope praised his bandmates Britt Daniel, Jim Eno, Eric Harvey, Alex Fischel and Gerardo Larios, as well as the band’s road crew, management and fans in his announcement. He also noted that he will continue to work on new music and record and tour with The Get Up Kids.
Pope is taking leave as Spoon — which just released a greatest hits album featuring the new song “No Bullets Spent” — is gearing up to launch a tour with Beck and Cage the Elephant, which kicks off on Thursday (July 11) in Ridgefield, WA at the Sunlight Supply Amphitheater. A few hours after Pope’s statement the band announced that former Robbers on High Street member Ben Trokan has been tapped as his replacement.
See both statements below.