You may have heard contrasting theories regarding the situation, well now Butch has his say and so follows: E & Eels - BUTCH'S STORY:-

How did you get the Tracy Chapman gig?

BUTCH: "Through the Eels connection. John Parrish, who co-produced with E the 'Souljacker' album, also co-produced Tracy's new record, 'Let It Rain'. Joey Waronker played on the album and Tracy wanted him to do the tour, but he wants to stay home and work on his production chops. So Joey told John, 'I think Butch is available'. And Butch was available because I had just left the Eels."

Permanently? Or is it just a temporary hiatus?

BUTCH: "I think for quite a while. E and I are taking a break for quite a bit here because we've come to a crossroads, as it were."

How do you feel about that?

BUTCH: "Upset. But it was a business thing. A year ago we were coming through Europe on the second tour for 'Souljacker', and I had to apply for bankruptcy. The Eels were a great, creative, wonderful musical outlet, but my partnership deal was not taking care of my family. I told management three years ago that this day was coming: 'We need to restructure, I'll give up my partnership if I can get a retainer or something'. So it started there.

"Eels don't sell records, we're not big pop megastars. That's not my beef, but this was a reality check. I got a call from E's accountant who said, 'E doesn't want to change the structure'. I said, 'Well, I made an offer for a retainer'. He said, 'That's way too much money', so I said, 'Well, why don't you come back with an offer?"

But they never came back? Which must have put a strain on your relationship with E.

BUTCH: "We still talk, the business is a separate thing. Good things musically were happening. We recorded 'Shootenanny' in ten days, mixed it and finished it in three weeks. I started working with Tracy Bonham and we did a duo tour of California - her on guitar and violin and me on drumming and percussion. We did some of her rock stuff, but also her beautiful ballads. Then the Tracy Chapman thing came up."

Hopefully in the future we'll see a welcome return for Butch to the Eels, but for now, there you have it, E & Eels in Butch's own words.