Calico System calls it quits

St. Louis metal/hardcore/rock outfit Calico System has apparently broken up. Guitarist Rick Giordano has issued the following statement: "Well there is no IS really, we already have. Reasons? You want reasons? I don't have to explain myself to you!! But I'll sum it up by saying that it just didn't make sense to remain a band anymore. Music rules, but the music BUSINESS sucks and had taken its toll on all of us. A farewell tour will be happening. I can't say when or where yet, but it will happen. We hope to hit a handful of select cities possibly this fall to party with all our friends one last time. And to answer the most common email/comment questions we recieve... NO, you cannot find the CD anywhere. We're not happy about it either (biting tongue...) because we're really proud of the fucking thing! Good thing there's Internet downloading! And NO, we're not playing whatever show you saw us listed on on some other band's page or flyer or whatever. We have no upcoming shows. I can almost hear the applause from the kids on Lambgoat..." Update: Original guitarist Shawn Keith has issued his own statement regarding the band's break-up: "I figured I would chime in here seeing that both myself and Erik quit the band prior to the demise. When we got signed back in 2003 everything about the music and scene was completely different. You did not have Myspace to blow your band up and you actually had to have a record deal before any type of hype could be built around you band other than touring. We booked DIY tours early on before we were signed and put in the work. We toured probably more than a lot of bands EVER did and I am proud of the accomplishments that we made. It was a lot of blood sweat and tears but at the end of the day when everything is pointing against you then you just have to simply say 'it is time to move on. Erik and I quit back in February to pursue other interest in music and in our personal lives. We got to a point where we were not as passionate about it as we once were... Our label slapped a sounds like 'new breed of metalcore' sticker on the front of our new record and that is something we wanted to stray away from completely. Now when Deathcore is it fact the new 'cool' thing we decided we did not want any part of it. Even though both Erik and I are no longer with the band I still think it is important to thank anyone and everyone who ever came to see a show, let us sleep on their floors or bought any of our merch. You are the people that made it possible for me experience things I would have never been able to. I also would like to thank any promoter that ever booked a show for Calico System. It is because of you that we were able to get as far as we did and it is a memory that will never be forgotten. We are talking about doing a farewell tour in October in select cities that I myself will be apart of. I am being as sincere as I possibly can by saying THANK YOU for the support and good times."