Fall Out Boy guitarist Joe Trohman steps away from band, citing mental health

Two months ahead of the release of a new album, Fall Out Boy’s guitarist announced he is taking a break from the band.

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The band’s official Twitter account shared a photo of Trohman playing guitar along with a statement saying, “Neil Young once howled that it’s better to burn out than to fade away. But I can tell you unequivocally that burning out is dreadful. Without divulging all the details, I must disclose that my mental health has rapidly deteriorated over the past several years. So, to avoid fading away and never returning, I will be taking a break from work which regrettably includes stepping away from Fall Out Boy for a spell.”

The news came as Fall Out Boy prepares to release its eighth studio album, “So Much (For) Stardust,” scheduled to drop on March 24, Rolling Stone reported. Fall Out Boy’s last release was 2018′s “Mania.”

Trohman referenced the new album in his statement, saying, “It pains me to make this decision, especially when we are releasing a new album that fills me with great pride (the sin I’m most proud of). So, the question remains: Will I return to the fold? Absolutely, one-hundred percent. In the meantime, I must recover which means putting myself and my mental health first. Thank you to everyone, including my bandmates and family, for understanding and respecting this difficult, but necessary, decision.”

Trohman released a memoir in 2022, “None of This Rocks,” which detailed his own struggle with depression as well as his mother’s mental illness, CNN reported.

Fall Out Boy performed at iHeartRadio’s annual Alter Ego concert on Jan. 14, and days later released the first single off of their upcoming album, “Love From the Other Side,” USA Today reported. The band performed the single on Wednesday on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” without Trohman.

Fall Out Boy also features members Andy Hurley, Peter Wentz and Patrick Stump. The band was formed outside of Chicago in 2001 and was nominated for the best new artist Grammy Award in 2006, CNN reported.

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