Our homie and drummer for local awesome radical band Brighten Jimmy Richards announced via Myspace blog today that he is leaving Brighten to go to Africa and then to school right here in good ol’ Chico, as well as to focus on his badass design business, Junior Kickstart:

Hey everyone,

This is a rather depressing blog for me. Something that is not easy to write or deal with right now, but it is something I feel I have to do. I have decided to leave Brighten. Over the last year or so I felt God pulling at me about this. Leading me in another direction. I’m not leaving on any bad terms whatsoever. Alex and Justin have been great about this and weren’t taken by surprise. I’d been talking with them for months and months about this and finally decided.
It’s very hard. Being in a band is awesome. I love being able to meet and share with cool people like all of you all over the world. But it is mostly hard because Justin and Alex are my brothers. I’m going to miss hating ridiculous amounts of time in the van with them and dumb arguments, spitting on alex while playing, making funny videos, talking about life and things going on at home, and so many other things that go on when you spend 24 hours a day 7 days a week 9 months out of a year with people.
This isn’t a pity party. I am just sharing what’s happening in full rather than just peacing out on all of you. You guys (fans and friends) are a huge part of Brighten. I absolutely LOVE that part of it all. Getting to meet all of you is such an amazing thing for all of us in bands. I love talking to each of you.

So what am I doing now?

I am leaving for africa on July 21st. Two weeks. I’m very excited! After that, I will be going to school here in chico. I work full time designing merch for bands (www.juniorkickstart.net). I’m not exactly sure of what I want to do with my life yet, but I’ll figure it out soon enough.

Brighten’s new EP, Early Love, will be available really soon. I’m so proud of Justin and Alex and love what they are doing and everything they are about to do. I know you guys will be too.

If any of you would ever like to talk to me, please keep in touch!
My screen name is : eagersails

It’s been an amazing time,
Jimmy

I’ve heard some fun rumors as to who Jimmy’s replacement might be, but I guess we’ll just have to wait and see how shit pans out. In the mean time, if you’re a label and you haven’t signed Brighten yet, what the fuck are you waiting for? Teen girls everywhere will thank you with money. Promise.