Faced with the departure of lead singer Crispian Mills, British psychedelic rock band Kula Shaker [ tickets ] has decided to call it quits. Mills intends to pursue a solo career, but there's no word on what his former bandmates -- Alonza Bevan, Paul Winterhart and Jay Darlington -- plan to do.

''I have loved my time with Kula Shaker and have experienced more than I could ever have imagined,'' Mills said in a statement issued via the band's official website. ''We've had an excellent time and been a very tight band, but there comes a time when you want to do your own thing.

''Alonza, Paul, Jay and myself have grown up together, in fact I lived with them for around three years. I'll always consider them to be friends and much, much more. I've been amazed by the love and support we have received over the last few years and would like to thank everyone who has been part of this incredible ride.''

The band scored several hits in Great Britian, but had only limited success in the United States. According to BBC news, the band's reputation was damaged after Mills told British music magazine NME that he wanted to have ''great big burning swastikas onstage'' and that ''Hitler knew a lot more than he made out. You can see why Hitler got support. It was probably the uniforms that swung it.''

Mills later defended his comments, saying he was referring to the swastika as an Indian spiritual symbol.

The band played together live as recently as August, turning up at several stops on the British festival circuit.