The Guardian reported yesterday that The Verve have broken up yet again. For the third time. After a successful headline slot at Glastonbury and a respectable-enough album Forth helping them get back on track, it seems to be all off again.

A few months ago guitarist Nick McCabe said the band were on “holiday” but now it seems they have given up the ghost altogether. McCabe and bassist Simon Jones are apparently no longer talking to Richard Ashcroft and the a source close to the band told the Sunday Mirror that they have not spoken to Ashcroft since last year. “As far as Nick and Simon are concerned the Verve no longer exists,” the source said. “They think Richard was just using the reunion as a vehicle to get his solo career on track.”

In the meantime, the two have started a new band The Black Ships with Goldfrapp’s violinist Davide Rossi and drummer Mig Shillace. They are currently recording an album.