Tim Vesely publicly announced his departure from the band on September 8, 2006, citing his desire to concentrate on his side project The Violet Archers.
However, Bidini has indicated that Vesely made his intentions to leave known to the band in January 2006, after they had played a series of concerts in Calgary.

Bidini and Tielli explored the possibility of continuing the band with Wojewoda and collaborating keyboardist Ford Pier, but these plans collapsed after Wojewoda declared he did not want to commit to the band.
Subsequent press indicated that the band would not continue following Vesely's exit.

After it was revealed that Vesely would be leaving, Bidini embarked on a solo tour and chronicled his experience in the 2007 book Around the World in 57½ Gigs.

On March 16, 2007, Canadian web label Zunior released a Rheostatics tribute album, The Secret Sessions, which had not been publicized in advance so that it would be a surprise for the band.

A farewell concert was planned and on March 30, 2007, the Rheostatics played Toronto's Massey Hall, the largest venue that they had played as headliners.
The concert was recorded for later broadcast on CBC Radio Two's Canada Live, which aired the show on April 7 and again on December 6.
Ford Pier substituted for Vesely in some live performances between Vesely's announcement and the final show.

Bidini and Tielli have continued working together after the Massey Hall show.
The first of such projects was a musical-theatre piece entitled Five Hole: Tales of Hockey Erotica, produced in collaboration with One Yellow Rabbit.
Music from the production was recorded by Bidini, Tielli, Pier, Selina Martin and Barry Mirochnick, and released on the album Music from Five Hole: Tales of Hockey Erotica in February 2009 on Zunior.
Vesely and Wojewoda contribute to two tracks.
Tim Vesely publicly announced his departure from the band on September 8, 2006, citing his desire to concentrate on his side project The Violet Archers. However, Bidini has indicated that Vesely made his intentions to leave known to the band in January 2006, after they had played a series of concerts in Calgary.
Bidini and Tielli explored the possibility of continuing the band with Wojewoda and collaborating keyboardist Ford Pier, but these plans collapsed after Wojewoda declared he did not want to commit to the band. Subsequent press indicated that the band would not continue following Vesely's exit.
After it was revealed that Vesely would be leaving, Bidini embarked on a solo tour and chronicled his experience in the 2007 book Around the World in 57½ Gigs.
On March 16, 2007, Canadian web label Zunior released a Rheostatics tribute album, The Secret Sessions, which had not been publicized in advance so that it would be a surprise for the band.
A farewell concert was planned and on March 30, 2007, the Rheostatics played Toronto's Massey Hall, the largest venue that they had played as headliners. The concert was recorded for later broadcast on CBC Radio Two's Canada Live, which aired the show on April 7 and again on December 6. Ford Pier substituted for Vesely in some live performances between Vesely's announcement and the final show.
Bidini and Tielli have continued working together after the Massey Hall show. The first of such projects was a musical-theatre piece entitled Five Hole: Tales of Hockey Erotica, produced in collaboration with One Yellow Rabbit. Music from the production was recorded by Bidini, Tielli, Pier, Selina Martin and Barry Mirochnick, and released on the album Music from Five Hole: Tales of Hockey Erotica in February 2009 on Zunior. Vesely and Wojewoda contribute to two tracks.
Rheostatics