After releasing just one album, Unified Theory [ tickets ], a group comprising former members of Blind Melon and Pearl Jam, has broken up.

In a statement released on Friday (12/7), bassist Brad Smith said that the band's focus during the past eight months had become "hazy at best," and that he and the group's other members--guitarist Christopher Thorn, drummer Dave Krusen and singer Chris Shinn--had decided to split about two weeks ago.

"It was a frustrating time," Smith said of the recent months, during which the band had been recording its sophomore effort. "I felt like I was cheating myself and banging my head up against the wall. Summit meetings were called, supreme courts were notified, beers were consumed, cigs were smoked, but the ship would not stay afloat. We were taking on water, the crew grew weary of bailing and we sunk. It was time to move on."

Smith--who, along with Thorn, was a member of the popular '90s act Blind Melon--is now focusing full time on his group Abandon Jalopy.

Shinn and Krusen, meanwhile, have formed a new quartet with guitarist Jimmy Messer and bassist Cody Davis, according to a message that Shinn posted on his official website on Wednesday (12/5). Messer hails from Texas alt-rock act Goudie, while Davis was a member of Shinn's pre-Unified Theory project, Celia Green. Krusen was the original drummer for Pearl Jam, and played on that group's 1991 debut, "Ten" (Epic).

The as-yet-unnamed quartet plans to head into the studio this weekend, according to Shinn's message. The group may begin touring as soon as February.

Thorn's current plans were not known at press time.

Unified Theory released its self-titled debut in August 2000. In a September message posted on the band's official website, Shinn said that, since playing its last live show on March 1 in San Diego, the group had parted with its label and its manager had quit.