Young Rival Lose Member

Hamilton, Ont. indie rockers Young Rival will become a three-piece band in 2010.

Guitarist Kyle Kuchmey is leaving the band so he can "focus on other things in life," according to a post on Young Rival's blog on Tuesday (Dec. 15).

The split seems to be amicable, and the band write that they will "miss his incredible knowledge of 80's [sic] & 90's [sic] bands, his passion for Coronation street, and his guitar shredding skills" and "wish him nothing but the best of luck."

"I want to thank all the family, friends, fans, promoters, ladies, gentleman [sic], mechanics, Tim Horton's bean techs, and the true originals that supported our band along the way," Kuchmey said in a statement posted on the blog.

"I look forward to joining them all in the crowd at future Young Rival shows. And I want to thank my three pseudo-brothers who have shaped who I am today and who I will miss on designated drives home late at night, laughing, planning, and wondering. Thanks for the memories, bud. (coffee cheers, end scene)"

Kuchmey will play his last show with Young Rival on Boxing Day at Hamilton's Casbah. You can see Young Rival, who also include singer/guitarist Aron D'Alesio, drummer/singer Noah Fralick and bassist/singer John Smith, as a trio on Dec. 29 at Brantford, Ont.'s 2 Doors Down.