Tom Meighan shares teaser of first solo track since leaving Kasabian
"Music is my therapy and I have been recording some songs that I now feel ready to share"
Former Kasabian singer Tom Meighan has revealed a teaser of his first solo song since leaving the band.
The new track ‘Would You Mind’ is the now solo artist’s first release since leaving the band last year to address “personal issues” and “concentrate all his energies on getting his life back on track”.
The day after announcing his departure from the band last year, the former frontman appeared at Leicester Magistrates Court on a charge of assault against his partner Vikki Ager.
Meighan pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 200 hours of unpaid work.
In a message shared to Instagram with a video teaser of the track, he wrote: “It’s no secret that I’ve been struggling for the last few years. Music is my therapy and I have been recording some songs that I now feel ready to share.
“This is taken from ‘Would You Mind’, that I wrote about asking for help when you need it the most but can’t find the courage to ask.
“Your support has kept me going and I can’t wait to get more music to you.”
He also spoke candidly about his actions and mental health in a blog post shared last month. “I did something I will never forgive myself for: I physically assaulted my now wife Vikki in a row fulled by alcohol. It was totally unacceptable,” he wrote. “In fact, it makes me feel sick every time I think about it.”
Following the court proceedings, Kasabian shared a statement on Twitter about their decision surrounding Meighan’s departure.
“No one in the band wanted this to happen. We have all worked so hard for the past twenty three years and had big plans for our future together. We’re completely heartbroken,” it said.
“But we were left with no choice but to ask Tom to leave the band. There is absolutely no way we can condone his assault conviction. Domestic violence and abuse of any kind is totally unacceptable.”
It added that as soon as the band members found out about the charges made against Meighan, they made a collective decision to no longer work with him.
“Ultimately, as much as Tom has hurt us all, we’re not the victim in all of this. Domestic violence is something that can never be excused.”
The group performed their first gig without Meighan in Glasgow yesterday (October 13), now fronted by Serge Pizzorno.