The Vines drop out of the industry circus but will play live again. 

Management for The Vines has confirmed that the band will continue to record and play live, despite the announcement that singer Craig Nicholls has been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome.

It was revealed in November that Nicholls has the brain disorder that is often characterised by problems with social interaction and communication. Many people with Asperger's have an obsessive level of focus on one thing, to the exclusion of other interests or people. It's sometimes referred to as a form of "high-functioning autism". There is no treatment; rather his manager Andy Kelly says, "it's about having an environment where there's regularity and routine and things that make Craig comfortable - like being at home in his own place, having everything set out as he likes it, being able to eat what he likes."

It's the opposite to the lifestyle of a touring musician, and that's the problem. "The guy that diagnosed Craig [autism spectrum disorder specialist Professor Tony Attwood] said, "If you want to put someone with Asperger's in the most stressful position possible, put them on tour,"' says Kelly.

Nicholl's erratic behaviour and the Vines' inconsistent live shows have damaged their reputation after the success of their debut, Highly Evolved. "Ultimately, everyone - Craig and the band and Craig's family - feels it's a positive thing," says Kelly. "It's a huge relief, especially for Craig. It's been really difficult for the band to have people think that Craig is just a petulant rock star or a bad person. No-one's denying that he's done a lot of things that are unacceptable social behaviour - but when you know him, you know he's not putting on an act."

Nicholls' condition was the reason charges against him for assault and malicious damage were dismissed in Balmain Local Court. The case stemmed from the incident at Sydney's Annandale Hotel in May 2004, in which Nicholls allegedly kicked a photographer. Still, "we're keen for people to understand that it's not meant as an excuse," Kelly says. "It's not like he has a touch of Asperger's syndrome every now and then."

From this point on, the Vines will be doing things differently. Kelly says that there will be no deadlines for the band to produce their third album. "It's going to revert back to the way it was before they were signed - they get together when they fell like it. Which will be a lot, I suspect. When they feel like they've got enough songs and they're happy to go and record, they'll do it."

Neither Nicholls or his bandmembers have spoken to the media since the announcement, and Kelly says from now on there won't be traditional promo duties, interviews or touring for the band. The Vines - and their labels worldwide - have accepted the likelihood that this means they will shift less records. "It sounds cheesy, but Craig's health is heaps more important than trying to sell a bucketload of records.

"They will certainly play live. They really like playing live. Craig just doesn't want to do it every night," Kelly adds. "They've always teetered between being the world's greatest rock band and the world's most untogether band - often in the course of one song. But that's to me why they're such a magnificent band."