From the Dismemberment Plan web site:

01/19/2003

After a few months off, and taking time to think about it, we've decided to break up the band.

There will not be a next album by the Dismemberment Plan. Travis will be going into the studio in April with some songs of his own, and probably a handful, or maybe all, of the songs we worked on as a band to record a solo album. No word yet to which label will release his record. Of course, the remix record is still on—we have 9 or 10 keepers, and are hoping to get another one or two before putting it to press. The remix record will be on DeSoto. And we talked about possibly releasing songs that we've worked on that won't be on Travis' record. For now, all options are open.

In terms of playing live, we're going to continue playing the shows we've booked this winter, and I'd assume a few more will be added this spring. We're seriously considering a last tour of the States in the early summer and maybe something overseas this summer if we can work that out.

J.K. ROWLING'S HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF PHOENIX TO BE PUBLISHED ON JUNE 21, 2003 IN THE UNITED STATES, BRITAIN, CANADA AND AUSTRALIA

The World's Most Anticipated Book Is Over One Third Longer Than Previous Book, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

NEW YORK, NEW YORK: LONDON, ENGLAND: January 15, 2003--Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, by J.K. Rowling, the fifth in the bestselling series has been scheduled for release on Saturday, June 21, 2003 in the United States, Britain, Canada and Australia, it was announced today by Scholastic and Bloomsbury publishers. The companies also announced that Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is over a third longer than J.K. Rowling's extraordinary previous book, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

In making the joint announcement, Barbara Marcus, President of Scholastic Children's Books in the United States, and Nigel Newton, Chief Executive of Bloomsbury Publishing in Britain said: "We are thrilled to announce the publication date. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is absolutely superb and will delight all J.K. Rowling's fans. She has written a brilliant and utterly compelling new adventure, which begins with the words:

"The hottest day of the summer so far was drawing to a close and a drowsy silence lay over the large, square houses of Privet Drive.... The only person left outside was a teenage boy who was lying flat on his back in a flowerbed outside number four."

Later in the novel, J.K. Rowling writes:

"Dumbledore lowered his hands and surveyed Harry through his half-moon glasses. 'It is time,' he said, 'for me to tell you what I should have told you five years ago, Harry. Please sit down. I am going to tell you everything.'"

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is over 255,000 words compared to over 191,000 words in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The new book is 38 chapters long, one more than Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, J.K.Rowling's fourth Harry Potter book was released on July 8, 2000 and was the fastest selling book in history on the first weekend of its publication. All four Harry Potter books, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban as well as Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, have been #1 bestsellers and are currently on bestseller lists in the United States, Britain and around the world.

About Scholastic

Scholastic Corporation (NMS: SCHL) is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books. Scholastic creates quality educational and entertaining materials and products for use in school and at home, including children's books, textbooks, magazines, technology-based products, teacher materials, television programming, videos and toys. The Company distributes its products and services through a variety of channels, including proprietary school-based book clubs, school-based book fairs, school-based and direct-to-home continuity programs; retail stores, schools, libraries, and television networks; and the Company's Internet site, www.scholastic.com.

By the way, the surprise Christmas adventure was to Disney World in Florida. A good time was had by all!