Chris Walla leaves Death Cab For Cutie

Guitarist and producer Chris Walla is quitting Death Cab For Cutie after 17 years playing with the band.

In a statement posted via Slog yesterday, the veteran Death Cabber said, "Deciding to leave the band was not, and is not, easy. It’s really, really sad," and that he was "grateful to, and deeply humbled by, all of [Death Cab's] fans."

Death Cab also took to Twitter to announce the departure of Chris and also details of their new album, which is yet to be titled, but due for an early 2015 release.

Death Cab announce the departure of Chris Walla and reveal new album details: http://t.co/kJePvXGG7M

— Death Cab for Cutie (@dcfc) August 13, 2014

Walla will see out the remainder of the band's summer tour and you can read the full statement here.