Lotus drummer Steve Clemens will sit out his band’s fall tour while he expects the birth of his first child. Former Ally drummer Mike Greenfield has been named his temporary replacement through the end of 2009.

A note from Clemens reads, “My wife and I have conceived a child! I am looking forward to this major life event: the coming of my first child. I am also very grateful for the opportunity to take the time to be with my new family member surrounding their birth. The due date is September 28, which basically means the child could come any moment, but hopefully not for a few more weeks. I will be taking a hiatus from Lotus beginning with the upcoming dates in Japan. I am happy to say that Mike Greenfield, long time friend of the band, will be filling in. Greenfield is a master musician in his own right and I am sure he’ll bring the heat throughout the fall tour.”

Greenfield has a longstanding history with Clemens. He first befriended the members of Lotus in 2002—while the rising band was still in college—when the Ally played a show with the group in Goshen, IN. Greenfield also played in an early version of State Radio and is a member of a number of Disco Biscuits side-projects, including JM2, ths Cookie Dusters, Amoeba and, most recently, The Player’s Club. In addition, he spent most of the year playing with the indie group Xylos and has collaborated with members of STS9, Yeasayer, Brothers Past, The New Deal and the Benevento/Russo Duo.