The band made the announcement on social media — complete with a photo of a symbolic pass of the drumsticks between Thomson and Tait — writing, "Paul is leaving the band. It was a bit of a shocker for us when we found out, so it probably will be for some of you too. Paul has been our friend for over twenty five years & we're looking forward to at least another twenty five. He's a funny, smart, sensitive guy."
"Not a bad drummer either. You don't spend 20 years touring the world with someone without them becoming like family and that isn't going to change anytime soon," the band continued. "We're glad we shared those adventures and experiences together and look forward to hearing what he gets up to next."
"Many of you in Glasgow will already know what an incredible musician Audrey Tait is and we're thrilled to have her join us. It feels totally natural playing with her and she's a great laugh," Franz Ferdinand shared of their newest member. "It has been electrifying being in the studio together and we can't wait to play live for you all."
In a respective statement, Thomson wrote, "After nearly 20 years the time has come for this boy to step aside. I never imagined in 2002 that life would have all of this in store. It's been like a dream and I'm still processing. I want to thank each of you that bought a record, came to a concert and shared all these experiences with me. I will never forget it. Franz Ferdinand was, is, and always will be family and a huge part of me. My words and smile are so easy now. Love, Paul."
Thomson's drumming and backing vocals appeared on all five of Franz Ferdinand's studio albums, the most of recent of which is 2018's Always Ascending. Thomson also kept time as a member of FFS, the band's collaborative supergroup with Sparks.
Tait has recorded and toured with Scottish hip-hop band Hector Bizerk, folk/rock duo the Miss's, and the Girl Who Cried Wolf with singer/guitarist Lauren Gilmour. Tait and Gilmour also operate NovaSound Studio, the only female-run recording facility in Scotland.
Original Franz Ferdinand guitarist, keyboardist and backing vocalist Nick McCarthy left the band in 2016.
Not a bad drummer either. You don't spend 20 years touring the world with someone without them becoming like family and that isn't going to change anytime soon. We're glad we shared those adventures and experiences together and look forward to hearing what he gets up to next.
— Franz Ferdinand (@Franz_Ferdinand) October 21, 2021
After having played with Paul for so long, it's obvious that not just anyone could sit behind the kit in FF, so we're happy to say that one of the other best drummers in the world is joining us.
— Franz Ferdinand (@Franz_Ferdinand) October 21, 2021
Many of you in Glasgow will already know what an incredible musician Audrey Tait is and we're thrilled to have her join us. It feels totally natural playing with her and she's a great laugh.
— Franz Ferdinand (@Franz_Ferdinand) October 21, 2021
It has been electrifying being in the studio together and we can't wait to play live for you all. Here's a photo of Paul literally handing his sticks over to her in a windowless rehearsal room.
— Franz Ferdinand (@Franz_Ferdinand) October 21, 2021
Franz Ferdinand
I want to thank each of you that bought a record, came to a concert and shared all these experiences with me. I will never forget it.
— Franz Ferdinand (@Franz_Ferdinand) October 21, 2021
Franz Ferdinand was, is, and always will be family and a huge part of me.
My words and smile are so easy now
Love
Paul