Steven Drozd is reflecting on leaving the Flaming Lips after more than 30 years with the psychedelic rockers.
The multi-instrumentalist and songwriter, who reportedly hinted that he was done with the “Do You Realize??” group last month, opened up about the surprising decision during an appearance on FOX 23’s “One More Thing” program on Thursday.
Drozd, 56, revealed that he suffered a “personal crisis” after a Flaming Lips show in 2024 that made him want to stop touring.
But while the “Race for the Prize” songwriter no longer wanted to be a touring member of the Flaming Lips, he was still open to contributing to the band’s studio output.
“Wayne and I disagreed on what I should do moving forward, so we just kind of agreed that I would step back,” Drozd said, referring to Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne. “Then stepping back turned into not coming back.”
“Part of me hoped I could just be like a guy that doesn’t tour but is still in the band,” he continued. “I think that can work for some bands – I guess it worked for The Beach Boys – but we’re not The Beach Boys. That just seemed like an odd fit.”
Drozd, who initially joined the Flaming Lips as a drummer in 1991, went on to say that “moving on felt kind of right” after being with the band for 33 years. The Flaming Lips formed in Oklahoma City in 1983.
Although the Houston, Texas, native suggested that he departed the band in 2024, Drozd didn’t address his departure until a fan asked if he was “officially done” with the group on Instagram’s Threads last month.
“They’re done with me – but we’re not talking about it,” he wrote in the since-deleted message, per Stereogum. “So yes I’m moving on. Just keep it to yourself for now. Ok?”
Meanwhile, Drozd reportedly played his final Flaming Lips show at the Acrisure Arena in Thousand Palms, California, on Oct. 12, 2024, according to Rolling Stone.
Days before the musician’s last show, the Seattle Police Department confirmed that Drozd’s 16-year-old daughter, Charlotte “Bowie” Drozd, had gone missing not far from the Space Needle.
But Coyne, 65, then took to Instagram on Oct. 8 to announce that Drozd’s daughter had been found “safe.”
“Yessssss she’s found and is safe,” the Flaming Lips frontman wrote alongside several red heart emojis. “Her mother has spoke with her.”
“THANK YOU everyone for all your posts and all your networking and all your support and all your skills and all your trust and all your LOVE!!!” he added next to a “missing person” poster of Charlotte with the caption “Found” on top.
It’s unclear if his daughter’s disappearance was the “personal crisis” that Drozd mentioned during his “One More Thing” appearance on Thursday.
The Post has reached out to Drozd and the Flaming Lips’ reps for comment.
