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delirious? "Exploring new opportunities"

In a development which will no doubt shock the CCM scene to it's core, delirious? have announced they are splitting up.

The Littlehampton 5 piece who have rocked the UK CCM scene for over a decade have decided that nearly 10 years of pioneering  new contemporary Christian worship music is enough. And the band are splitting up to pursue new projects.

The news was announced by delirious?'s manager Tony Potato yesterday evening in a press release. Mr. Potato's comments were:

"The Fire tour will be the last tour for delirious? as the 5 piece they currently are  and "Deeper" greatest hits will be the last album. Martin Smith is leaving the band  with Stu G to pursue new opportunities which we wish them every success in. The rest of the delirious? lads will be continuing together."

Rumours abound as to what is the next step for Stug (40) and Martin J. Smith, (31) but delirious? will continue with former Cutting Edge/Delirious? guitarist Dave Clifton taking over 6-string duties and  current American support act Matt Redman taking over from Martin Smith.

Martin: "Artistic differences"

Martin's drumming brother, Smee Smith (35) commented "I think Matt will fit in just fine, he's been playing all our songs for years anyway, and no one will notice the difference in his voice or anything."

The split is thought to revolve around a difference in opinion between band members about whether they should be writing and performing worship music like Glow and Cutting Edge or un-christian music like Mezztamorphisiz  and Audio Lessonover?.

Bass player Jonathan Thatcher (12) remained silent on the issues, but is believed to be very happy with the decision. When Stewmee Smith was asked about potential difficulties in the personal changeover period, his response was upbeat "I think it will really be quite straight forward, from my point of view in art and design, changing over "Mart" to "Matt" on all the press stuff will be very easy."

Asked to comment on this, former children's entertainer, Timothy Jupp (30) said "Oh, Matt will offer a more worshipful attitude and be more focused by saying "Jesus" more often in the middle of songs. It's really useful that actually, so we don't forget who it's all for. People have often asked us in the past if it's difficult to stay focused on God, and I have found sometimes that in the middle of gigs I find myself thinking about  what I'm having for dinner or something. Having Matt to front things is really good in that respect, although his "la la las" aren't quite as spiritual as Marts."

Matt Redman: "I feel so blessed"

Matt Redmond, speaking from his church in the village of  Watford, England, said, "I really feel this is a real blessing to my heart from Jesus to be really able to fellowship in Jesus with brothers in the Lord Jesus and  lead people to the secret place of worship...of Jesus. It's really so awesome and amazing, like Jesus is, and we really want to evangelize that and communicate a clear effective message of Jesus, sanctification, redemption and repentance and Jesus to a heathen world of sinners in a relevant way that speaks their language in music. Amen"

Asked who would be writing the songs for the new delirious? line up. Matthew's answer was reassuring to all those still worried about delirious?'s direction. "Jesus will be writing the songs. Or we'll take stuff from Psalms. And all the people said....<pause>..Amen"

The new delirious? lineup is sure to please the American CCM market, although they still have their fair share of rock and roll controversy to unsettle middle America. On being asked about stories of hotel room antics causing $5 of damage to a light fitting and leaving bath towels on the floor, John Thatching refused to comment.

"Wild and aggressive" Hotel Room antics: Bass player Jon.

Meanwhile, the future of Martin and Stu looks less clear although they will be following the unchristian thread of the band. Marty Smiff, speaking by phone from his $17.5 million beachside mansion in Littlehampton City, London, England, said "Well, many people who are really in touch with God and good at judging other peoples hearts have noticed that we're not really Christians anymore because I like to say "hell" a lot and Stu has a Satan incarnate appearance. So  for me, it's just really exciting to be able to sing songs about hell and stuff more. We'll also be able to have dancing girls and other pornographic objects in our videos and generally be more immoral without having to pretend were being Christian anymore, although it will make it harder for us to lead the Christian youth astray which was our real intention."

delirious?'s dark side: StuG

Satan Garrard commented "Well, now there is no stopping us. Obviously, we are aiming to take over the world with truly evil music, before systematically ripping apart civilization as we know it. Although that intention should have been obvious from the moment people heard "See The Star" and the single remixes."

Mr. Potatoheads final comment at the press conference was "Well, I just wish the boys well. I'm very happy to bring you this news FIRST. April 1st 2002 will be a great day for these Kings of Fools. I'm off to find Mrs. Potatohead now. Thankyou"

The new delirious? lineup will be releasing their new single "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus" on April 23, while Stu G and Mart will be forming a new band and be unleashing "Hell" on Friday 13th September.