Music
14 Oct 21

Foster The People drummer Mark Pontius announces exit from the band

'Mark, Isom and Sean are my family forever,' Foster the People's Mark Pontius wrote in a Twitter statement.

Indie-pop outfit Foster the People’s drummer Mark Pontius has announced that he will be leaving the band.

In a statement released on the band’s Twitter on October 13th, the American musician informed fans that he will be leaving the band after playing with them for 11 years. Pontius was one of the group’s founding members, alongside lead singer and guitarist Mark Foster.

“I've struggled with finding the words to begin this announcement so I guess I'll just rip off the band-aid and say that I've decided to leave the band I helped start 11 years ago, Foster the People,” Pontius stated.

“As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of our first record Torches, I've been flooded with memories of our sudden success, achieving all of my career aspirations in a few short years and the beautiful moments spent with my brothers in the band. What a privilege it all was, I'm eternally grateful for all of it.”

The band’s début album Torches - released in 2011 - was an instant success, breaking into the top 10 of the Billboard 200 as well as receiving a number of nominations including the Grammys. Much of the outfit’s early popularity was due to the viral sensation which was ‘Pumped Up Kicks’, which climbed up to number three on the Hot 100 and has since attained a cult-like status.

“I’ve grown up a lot since we started out, and in the couple of years since our last live show, my whole life has changed in every way. I’ve had a lot of time to myself to reflect on what truly matters,” the drummer wrote, explaining the sudden decision. “Among those things, I became a father to a now 2 year old daughter who has really changed the way I feel about living my life on tour. I find myself drawn to things closer to home.”

“I will miss Mark, Isom and Sean, they are my family forever and I’m sure we well work together again one day. As for me, I’ve got a few ideas for the future but I’m just going to take it one day at a time for now,” the statement finishes. “Thank you to everyone who supported the band over the years, I love you.”

Since the groups' creation in 2009 in Los Angeles, Foster The People have released three studio albums, their latest project Sacred Hearts Club being released in 2017. More recently, the band released the single ‘It's OK to Be Human’ addressing the Covid-19 pandemic.