British rockers The Verve have broken up. "The decision to split the band did not come without a great deal of distress to me personally," leader Richard Ashcroft said in a statement announcing the long-rumored disintegration. Band managers were unavailable for immediate comment. The breakup comes after a roller-coaster career for the band, which finally found success in the United States with the 1997 single "Bitter Sweet Symphony." The group disbanded once before, in 1995, after friction arose between Ashcroft and guitarist Nick McCabe. Ashcroft is now working on a solo album. Bass player Simon Jones said in a statement that he, McCabe and guitarist Simon Tong are working together.