Ron Welty has left The Offspring after 15 years in the band. In a statement on www.offspring.com Ron writes: “After more than 15 great years with The Offspring I’ve decided to leave to devote all my energies on a new project called Steady Ground. I wish Dexter, Noodles and Greg the best of luck moving forward and it’s time for me to focus on my own thing,” said Ron. The Offspring have hooked up with their friend Josh Freese (A Perfect Circle, The Vandals) to play on the new record which will still be released this year.” Dexter Holland added: “After being together so long it will be weird doing stuff without Ron, but we are really looking forward to putting this new record out. We wish him the best.”