Asia Split Confirmed
24th February, 2006
The management companies representing Geoff Downes and John Payne have announced that the two have split their partnership within the band Asia. This news comes within just weeks that the band announced that the original line-up would tour to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the group.
Both Downes and Payne have expressed the desire for positivism from their fans, and hope that they will both continue to receive the warm support that they have throughout their careers.
Only yesterday, Thursday 23rd, John Payne, Guthrie Govan and Jay Schellen announced the formation of a new band "One". Immediately signed by InsideOut Records, they have already began work on recording their debut, self titled album and hope to release it 23rd May (US) and 26th May (Europe). Keyboards on the album are handled by Ryo Okumoto of Spock's Beard. One also plans on touring during the fall of this year.
Meanwhile, there is still speculation as to what will happen to the album that Asia were still recording up until their official split. "Architect of Time" was due to be released in the first half of the year, and the official Asia website stated yesterday that the album is still to be released at some point during 2006.