It’s official – Daniel Sassoon has called it quits with popular home-grown indie rockers, Electrico.

 

According to a press release by the band dated 13 May, guitarist Daniel Sassoon has left the band on 7 April, citing his “demanding and gruelling career in the legal sector” and desire “to focus his energy on his legal profession” as the reasons for his departure.

 

The news of his departure was first broke by ST’s LIFE on 13 May, and has caught many a fan by surprise. A fan under the moniker Originalsoundtrack posted on popular musician’s forum soft.com, “Omg this is shocking. Electrico was the only local band that I bought a CD for. Hmmm I guess they might be able to find a replacement guitarist, but it just won’t be the same anymore. [sic]”

 

Many others like triphobob (on soft.com) lamented his departure, “I think some things can't easily be replaced....Imagine Bon Jovi with Paul Gilbert on guitars instead of Ritchie Sambora”.

 

Audioreload understands that while the band has been affected by the departure, but they will soldier on as a quartet and will not be looking for another man to fill in the shoes left behind be Sassoon. The band has also promised that the new album, We Satellites, will be out as scheduled in late June and will be “revolutionary and exciting”. ?

 

The question that many a fan would be found asking is – What’s next for Electrico?

Here’s our take on his departure:

 

This new development is certainly a surprise for the band, which seemed to have conquered the impossible with Sassoon holding steady with his guitars in the past 5 years.

 

Musically, the departure has changed the dynamics of the band drastically. Clearly, the lack of Sassoon’s lead work has changed the band from being a guitar-driven band to one with a keyboards-synth focus, like that of indie-rockers, Mute Math. Nevertheless, this push has already been in effect since Hip City, as Ling began to assert her musical presence.

 

Furthermore, while Tan is acknowledged as the key songwriter of the band, we cannot help but wonder how much of a role Sassoon played in song-craft. Perhaps, his departure may serve as lyrical inspiration for him – after all, the most poignant lyrics are often a by-product of strong emotions.

 

In the press release, the band has also indicated that they do not wish to seek a replacement for Sassoon

 

Soldiering as a quartet would mean that most of Electrico’s repertoire from the past two albums will have to be reworked, as most of the songs featured Sassoon’s playing heavily. The success of their efforts in doing so would therefore lie on the shoulders of lead-singer/guitarist David Tan and keyboardist Amanda Ling.

 

Having been at the Pull and Bear gig on 19 April, I would say that the band has made a commendable effort in doing so, at least for the newer songs. Ling appears to have stepped up to plate fairly well, and enjoys a greater musical presence in the band than never before. However, Sassoon’s presence was sorely missed when the band played their older hit, “Love in New Wave”, even though Ling did her best to accommodate to the situation with her keyboards.

 

Thus far, the band’s prospect does seem rather promising. However, the depth and extent of Sassoon’s departure has yet to be truly felt. Whether the band will live up to the standards set by their previous albums still remains to be seen – we will have to wait till We Satellites hit the stores.

 

Hopefully, still as electrifying as before.