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Joey Cape and Chris Flippin Announce New Band After Shocking Departure from Lagwagon
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the punk rock community, longtime Lagwagon frontman Joey Cape and guitarist Chris Flippin have officially announced their departure from the iconic band — and the launch of a brand-new musical project.
After over three decades of shaping the skate punk scene with Lagwagon, Cape and Flippin revealed their exit in a joint statement on social media earlier today. “This isn’t goodbye to the music — it’s hello to something new,” Cape wrote. The duo’s decision comes as a surprise to fans, especially following Lagwagon’s recent festival performances and their 2024 reissue campaign.
The new band, tentatively titled “Western Static”, is set to explore a darker, more experimental side of punk while maintaining the melodic hooks both musicians are known for. Described by Cape as “gritty, honest, and nothing like we’ve done before,” Western Static will debut their first single, “Dead Ends and Open Roads”, later this month, with an EP release scheduled for August.
Flippin added, “Lagwagon gave us everything. But we’re artists — we need to keep evolving. This new band gives us space to push our boundaries and reconnect with the raw energy that started it all.”
While fans are understandably divided over the unexpected split, excitement is building for what Western Static will bring. Early snippets teased online hint at a mix of post-hardcore elements, layered acoustic breakdowns, and powerful lyrics that reflect on change, loss, and rebirth.
Lagwagon has not issued a formal statement on the duo’s departure or plans to continue without them. As for Cape and Flippin, it’s clear they’re not done making noise — just ready to do it on their
own terms.
