Arctic Monkeys Lose Member

05/23/2006 9:00 PM, Yahoo! Music
Ben Gilbert - LAUNCH U.K. & Ireland

Arctic Monkeys bass player Andy Nicholson has walked out on the band, just as they prepare to begin their North American tour following 44 dates in the U.K.

A statement posted on the band's official website said: "Owing to fatigue following an intensive period of touring, Andy Nicholson shall be taking a rest and will not be accompanying Arctic Monkeys on their forthcoming tour of North America. Nick O'Malley shall be standing in for Andy on the tour which begins in Vancouver on May 27. We all wish Andy a speedy recovery."

O'Malley is a former bass player with Sheffield, England band the Dodgems.

The Sheffield-based Arctic Monkeys have been one of the sensations of the music world over the last 12 months, with their debut album becoming the fastest-selling ever in Britain. The four-piece's huge popularity has famously been fuelled by the spiralling growth of downloading tracks from the Internet.

Postings by fans on the band's website range from hundreds willing Nicholson well, to those questioning whether he will ever return.