Cape Town based band Captain Stu are proud to announce an exciting new line-up change for this ska / reggae act.

The band's leadsinger of the past seven years, Nick Key, is leaving the band and will be replaced by original member and Captain Stu guitarist, James Klopper.

Key will be leaving the band in September 2009 because of professional obligations due to his occupation as a teacher and will be moving overseas next year.

"My decision to leave the band has been a tough one to make," explained Key. "Things have been going so well this last year and the album is doing even better than expected. The decision to leave is purely a life decision. I'm 25 and the school I've been teaching at for the last three years has just closed down, and I got offered the chance to teach in Korea for triple the salary I've been earning here. It just seems like its time to chase down some other dreams."

"Captain Stu has given me seven of the best years of my life. I've experienced my greatest highs and my greatest lows with this band and for the rest of my life I will remember these years," he said.

"Captain Stu was always more than just a band, it was like a family. The guys have all helped me and each other get through some really tough times in our lives and we've always come out the other side stronger for it.

As a founding member, its been a privilege to be involved with this band from practicing in our first drummer's bedroom to playing our first show to 10 people at a house party to playing in front of 15 000 people alongside two international acts. No matter what, Captain Stu will dominate your face."

Although Key was part of the original band which formed in 2003, a line-up change is nothing new for the eclectic band. They have had a sizeable amount of member changes over the past six years - which most recently consisted of a new drummer, Ryk Otto, and keyboardist/trombonist, Matt Willis - whilst staying true to their signature sound which reflects a combination of genres such as ska, funk, rock and reggae.

James Klopper, also a founding member of the band and most known as Captain Stu guitarist and backing vocalist, will now be the new frontman for Captain Stu.

"I must admit, it's quite an intimidating thought that I am soon to be the official lead singer of Captain Stu," says Klopper. "It's obviously a huge honour and I am incredibly excited to rise to this new challenge, but it's obviously going to be a little nerve wracking at first. As far as the music is concerned, changing the line-up always changes the overall sound and this will be no exception.

"We are going to have to take our future music in a new and different direction but our existing music will have to be modified somewhat as well. Despite all this, however, I'm not worried about whether or not it'll sound good, because I know that we're a competent group of musicians and whatever happens, we'll be doing it in true Captain Stu style... in other words, business as usual."

Adds bassist Ryan McArthur: "We're exited about the change, although we're going to miss Nick and wish him all the best for Korea. We've always been a very liquid band and thrived on the energy and freshness that regular line-up changes add to our sound. We're also excited for James to take over more of the vocals as he has a really great voice with a unique character and great interaction with the crowd."

Captain Stu now stands as a five-piece group of dedicated and professional musicians. They are excited to be touring Durban in September 2009 for the first performances as a five-piece. However, Key will return for one last performance with the band on the 23 September at the New Roots launch show in Observatory, Cape Town.