Goose, the Connecticut-based jam band known for its soaring grooves and loyal following, has officially severed ties with percussionist Jeff Arevalo as of March 23, 2025. The announcement, posted to the band’s Instagram at 7:32 p.m. ET yesterday (11:32 p.m. +04), ends Arevalo’s five-year run with the group, citing “behavior in Jeff’s personal life that does not align with the band’s core values.” Coming just weeks after his February touring hiatus for mental health, the split has stunned fans and marks another lineup shakeup for Goose in 2025.
Arevalo, 36, joined Goose in 2020 during its Bingo Tour livestream series, adding percussion flair—congas, gongs, and bass bombs—to the band’s indie-jam sound. A Cincinnati native and Berklee College of Music grad, he also played upright bass in the acoustic side project Orebolo with Rick Mitarotonda and Peter Anspach. On February 3, 2025, he stepped back from touring, writing, “After much reflection, I’ve made the difficult decision to step away from current touring to focus on my mental health and personal issues,”. He expressed a love for performing but a need to “reset, heal, and prioritize my well-being,” earning support from bandmates: “Everyone’s well-being is the most important thing right now.”
That hiatus ended abruptly yesterday. “We have been made aware of behavior in Jeff’s personal life that does not align with the band’s core values,” Goose stated, per JamBase. “As a result, Jeff will no longer be a part of the Goose organization.” The band—now Rick Mitarotonda (guitar/vocals), Peter Anspach (keys/vocals), Trevor Weekz (bass), and Cotter Ellis (drums/vocals)—called it “an incredibly unfortunate, unexpected situation” but necessary “to uphold the values that define our community, particularly when it comes to respecting others and creating a safe environment,”.
What Happened? Speculation Swirls
Goose didn’t specify the behavior, leaving fans grasping for answers. Arevalo’s initial exit seemed personal and voluntary—he’s on the band’s upcoming album Everything Must Go, out April 25, —but this shift points to a rift. “This is an incredibly painful change,” the band noted, hinting at a sudden revelation between February and now.
The timing’s tight—Goose played eight shows as a quartet this winter, starting February 6 in Milwaukee, and added flutist Stuart Bogie for a March 11 gig at Luna Luna: Forgotten Fantasy. Arevalo’s absence didn’t derail them, but his permanent exit raises questions about what went down offstage.
Goose’s Rocky Road
This isn’t Goose’s first lineup jolt. Founding drummer Ben Atkind left in December 2023 after “fundamental personal and creative differences,”, with Cotter Ellis stepping in for a debut at The Capitol Theatre in April 2024. Arevalo’s departure, just over a year later, hits as Goose gears up for a big year—headlining Madison Square Garden this summer and debuting at New Orleans Jazz Fest on April 24. “The four of us forged a deeper connection on and off stage,” the band said of their recent tour, signaling resilience.
Arevalo’s musical imprint—percussion on hits like “Hungersite” and vocals on “Rock the Casbah”—won’t fade fast. A multi-instrumentalist, he met Mitarotonda at Berklee and joined after jamming with Vasudo. His Orebolo role added acoustic depth, but that future’s now unclear.
Fans React, Band Moves On
The Goose community’s reeling. “Jeff added such a layer—gutted he’s gone,” The statement’s plea for privacy hasn’t stopped speculation, but Goose is looking ahead. “We’re inspired to continue growing as a unit,” they wrote, with Jazz Fest next on deck.
For Arevalo, no word yet—he’s stayed silent since February. For Goose, it’s a new chapter as a quartet, values intact, with fans watching closely.