Just last week, long-time Brooklyn based dance-punk band The Rapture announced that bassplayer/co-vocalist Mattie Safer was leaving the band.

In a message posted on their website, the band posted this statement:

Dear Fans and friends,

I’ve been meaning to catch you up on what’ s been going on in Rapture world. First off, I’m sad to say that at the begining of April our buddy Mattie Safer decided to leave the band. We are sad to see him go but it seems it is the best for all of us. Since then Luke, Vito and I have been on a creative tear. We’ve been working out of our little Brooklyn make shift studio, writing, demoing and jamming. I’m pretty damn excited to share the fruits of our labor with you. But its still gonna be a minute before we hit the studio for real. On the other hand, I am very pleased to announce that the people of the great continent of Australia will be some of the first to hear some of our new material live, when we arrive late September for Parklife festival. In the meantime, keep an eye on this blog and another on your neighborhood dance party, who knows maybe we’ll be spinnin’.

Lotsa Love,
The Rapture

We caught up today with (now sole) vocalist and band founder Luke Jenner to discuss the 'No Sex For Ben' bands plans in the wake of the departure. TheVine writer Nick Holt asked the charmingly humble guitarist about the split:

I hear Matt moved on from the band last week?

Well, it wasn't exactly last week, we just sort of announced it last week because we wanted to make sure it was a permanent thing. He was really unhappy you know, and he seems a lot happier now and we've all been able to move on and do what we wanna do. For about 6 months there he was really upset and didn't wanna talk about it. When we did finally talk about it he said he'd been really struggling with it and wants to see what he can do on his own..I mean...basically, he moved out of his Mum's house and into our band and was in the band for like, 8 years.
 
Was it amicable?

We actually have a better relationship now then we probably ever had, cause of all the talking we've done. I've been able to say, if that's what you really want to do then I'm happy and I'll be there for you if you need me.

Parklife fans breathe easy. The band will be here in September and October for the festival where they'll play as a three piece. Check out our full transcript of the interview with Jenner coming soon.