Although the news has yet to be officially confirmed, sources are indicating that New Zealand music scene staple Peter Gutteridge has passed away. While we still can't say what happened with certainly, Twitter has begun buzzing with the sad news.
Based in Dunedin, Gutteridge was associated with a few indie pop acts on the iconic Flying Nun roster. He played in one incarnation of the Clean, was a part of that band's spinoff project the Great Unwashed, and co-founded the Chills. The busy Gutteridge has also been linked to the Alpaca Brothers and the Puddle.
Perhaps most importantly, he released a few LPs as the frontman of his own band, Snapper, and had a solo album from 1989 called Pure. That solo LP was reissued on vinyl last year, and an announcement called him "the man who launched a thousand Flying Nun bands." Snapper has also gotten the reissue treatment, having been included in Captures Tracks' recent string of Kiwi pop releases.
Gutteridge was reportedly born in 1961, which would make him either 52 or 53. He had been playing live shows as of late.
UPDATE: Flying Nun has confirmed the news and issued the following statement:
All of us, and so many people around the world, have been touched and affected by his music, whether it be the swirling fuzz of the guitar or haunting piano melodies, Peter was a true hero of New Zealand music, and will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family and friends at this very sad time. Thank you Peter for all the music, may you rest in peace.
Based in Dunedin, Gutteridge was associated with a few indie pop acts on the iconic Flying Nun roster. He played in one incarnation of the Clean, was a part of that band's spinoff project the Great Unwashed, and co-founded the Chills. The busy Gutteridge has also been linked to the Alpaca Brothers and the Puddle.
Perhaps most importantly, he released a few LPs as the frontman of his own band, Snapper, and had a solo album from 1989 called Pure. That solo LP was reissued on vinyl last year, and an announcement called him "the man who launched a thousand Flying Nun bands." Snapper has also gotten the reissue treatment, having been included in Captures Tracks' recent string of Kiwi pop releases.
Gutteridge was reportedly born in 1961, which would make him either 52 or 53. He had been playing live shows as of late.
UPDATE: Flying Nun has confirmed the news and issued the following statement:
All of us, and so many people around the world, have been touched and affected by his music, whether it be the swirling fuzz of the guitar or haunting piano melodies, Peter was a true hero of New Zealand music, and will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family and friends at this very sad time. Thank you Peter for all the music, may you rest in peace.
