Cult blues rockers The Drones have replaced guitarist Rui Pereira.
Frontman for the band Gareth Liddiard explained that the guitarist left due to their incessant touring, which has seen them not only cross Australia many times but spend months on the road in the US and Europe.Pereira has been replaced by scene stalwart Dan Luscombe who has previously worked with Paul Kelly, the Blackeyed Susans and Dan Kelly and The Alpha Males. Not only does Luscombe share a house with Liddiard and bassist Fiona Kitschin and appeared on their 2006 album 'Gala Mill', but The Drones connection with The Alpha Males extends back to 2005 when drummer Christian Strybosch left the former to join the latter.
Luscombe had his debut during their well-received set at the recent Meredith Music Festival. Liddiard has insisted that the switch is no big deal as the band have often exchanged members over their seven year career.
It's hard to blame Pereira, considering the punishing schedule The Drones have planned for 2007. In April they head to the UK for All Tomorrow's Parties and go onto a "3 or 4 month" tour of Europe and the US, according to their website.
