Upon the news of the Porcupine Tree reunion, fans almost immediately started asking why longtime bassist Colin Edwin wasn't a part of it. According to Porcupine Tree frontman Steven Wilson in a recent interview, Wilson said he wrote a lot of the upcoming material on bass and felt like he was the bassist for the record. He also added that he and Edwin haven't really spoken since Porcupine Tree became inactive about 10 years ago.
Now Edwin is sharing his side of the story for the first time. In an interview with Under The Radar Mag, Edwin said he didn't even know about the reunion until about six months before it was announced. Edwin added that he only found out when Wilson reached out to him saying he'd already tracked all the bass, and was told that there was "no role" for him any longer in the band.
"We hadn't fallen out or anything, and were in contact occasionally about various things, reissues mainly, or odd business things, but there had long been no indication or hint of any new band activity, writing sessions or any possibility of reactivation. My band O.R.k toured with Pineapple Thief in 2019, we all got on fine and there was no mention at all from [Porcupine Tree and Pineapple Thief drummer Gavin Harrison] about any possible new PT stuff, certainly nothing from anyone else. So it was a surprise to me in March 2021, in lockdown, to get an email from Steve telling me there's a new album and as he's already played all the bass parts there's 'no role for me.' Soon after that Steve's lawyer gets in touch. I have had no real contact from anyone since."
Edwin played bass in Porcupine Tree between 1993 and their quiet hiatus in 2010.
