Taking Back Sunday drummer Mark O'Connell leaves band

Longtime Taking Back Sunday drummer Mark O'Connell has left the band.

In a statement posted to Instagram, O'Connell writes, "After nearly 25 years as the drummer of Taking Back Sunday, I want to confirm that I am no longer with the band."

"My departure wasn't an easy decision, and it wasn't entirely my own," O'Connell continues. "Over the past few years, I've focused on my family and personal growth, including committing to my sobriety. Unfortunately, during this time, I didn't always feel the support I needed from those I thought of as brothers, and creative differences made it hard to move forward together."

O'Connell adds, "That said, I'm grateful for the incredible memories with each of my bandmates."

"I'm choosing to focus on the good as I move into this next chapter," he writes.

Said next chapter includes creating new music "both as a solo artist and with some old friends."

O'Connell joined Taking Back Sunday in 2001 and was the only member besides frontman Adam Lazzara to play on every TBS record. His departure now leaves Lazzara, guitarist John Nolan and bassist Shaun Cooper as the remaining band members.