In early 2002 after the Menace to Sobriety tour Matthew Meschery decided to leave the band. John E. Necro stated "that was the biggest blow of anyone" and "I don't think Matthew thought it through. It seemed like a really good idea when we got started, but it was more than he bargained for." during an interview in 2009. In the October 2015 edition of Rock Sound magazine, Meschery revealed he would "often get stage fright" when performing live and "The idea of touring another record for two years felt pretty daunting. I was done." Matthew then started working at KQED-FM shortly after leaving. Matthew along with Etienne Franc and Gary Dean then formed a band by the name of "The Free Agency" in 2003 after they all departed OPM. As of 2007, Meschery had been working for ITVS. He is currently in a new band called "Brand New Heartache" alongside former OPM bassist Etienne Franc.