Wilco may have won their battle with Reprise Records, but they've lost their guitarist.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Jay Bennett, a key component in the group's sound, has left the group over "creative differences." The paper quoted a source close to the band as saying Bennett needs to "strike out on his own" and that the group's new direction provided "less space" for him.

The announcement comes a day after final confirmation that the group had parted ways with Reprise. The label had reportedly rejected the group's new album, "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot," and had demanded that the band alter the music to make it more commercially palatable.

The band refused and now intends to release the record through other means. The Sun-Times said the group was able to buy back the master tapes for "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" for $50,000.

Drummer Ken Coomer left the group during the sessions for the new album and was replaced by Glenn Kotche. As the band weighs through a reported 30 offers, Wilco is set to begin a tour Sept. 20. Leader Jeff Tweedy and original bassist John Stirratt will be joined by Kotche and multi-instrumentalist Leroy Bach, the Sun-Times said.