Hold Steady Lose Keyboardist

Franz Nicolay, The Hold Steady's keyboardist arguably known as much for his gigantor moustache as for his tinkling of the ivories, has left the band.

Nicolay wrote on his website that he informed his bandmates about his decision in September and played his final show with the band in Minneapolis in November.

"Five years seemed like a nice round number," he says. "Thanks to everyone who was a part of the experience."

Nicolay will presumably focus at least a little bit more on his solo career now that he's no longer a full-time Hold Steady member. His debut solo album, Major General, came out last year and he plans to release a short story collection sometime this year. Nicolay is also a member of gypsy-punk band Guignol.

Nicolay's final studio album with The Hold Steady was 2008's Stay Positive.

You can see Franz Nicolay here:

Feb. 19 Alfred, NY @ Knight Club at Alfred University
Feb. 20 Washington, DC @ DC9 w/ Romania
Feb. 25 Pittsburgh, PA @ Khyber w/ Ha Ha Tonka and Peasant
March 16 London, England @ The Windmill
March 17 Nottingham, England @ Maze
March 18 Oxford, England @ Cafe Tarifa
March 19 Keighley, England @ Gassienda
March 20 Kingston Upon Hull, England @ Adelphi
March 23 Cardiff, Wales @ 10 Feet Tall