Andrew Brough — the New Zealand songwriter/guitarist behind such esteemed Flying Nun acts Straitjacket Fits and Bike — has died.
While details surrounding his death are still unclear, former Blue Meanies bandmate Martin Kean confirmed Brough's passing to the media earlier today. Brough's age at the time of his death is unclear.
According to a report from New Zealand news outlet Stuff, police were called to investigate a death in the Dunedin suburb of North East Valley on Tuesday morning, though a police spokeswoman said the death was not suspicious.
"Not much to say right now, but sending aroha to Andrew's whanau and loved ones," Flying Nun wrote in a statement. "Our hearts and thoughts go out to his family, friends and all those who knew him. We're so lucky to have been touched by his music and he will be deeply missed."
Brough had a long and celebrated musical career, first starting out in the '80s as the singer of Dunedin bands the Blue Meanies and the Orange. But it wasn't until he joined Straitjacket Fits that his career took off.
Formed in 1986, Straitjacket Fits featured Brough sharing songwriting duties with Shayne Carter, and the band quickly became one of Flying Nun's most successful groups, pioneering the so-called "Dunedin sound."
Brough's time in Straitjacket Fits was short-lived, however, with the musician leaving the group after their second album, 1990's Melt, due to various conflicts, including clashes with Carter. During Brough's tenure in the group, he wrote one of their most famed tracks "Down in Splendour," which appeared on Melt.
Following his departure from Straitjacket Fits, Brough went on to form the group Bike, who released their album Take in the Sun in 1997. Bike's track "Save My Life" became a hit in Australia and was used in the TV series Home and Away.
In 2008, Brough was inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame alongside Straitjacket Fits.
While details surrounding his death are still unclear, former Blue Meanies bandmate Martin Kean confirmed Brough's passing to the media earlier today. Brough's age at the time of his death is unclear.
According to a report from New Zealand news outlet Stuff, police were called to investigate a death in the Dunedin suburb of North East Valley on Tuesday morning, though a police spokeswoman said the death was not suspicious.
"Not much to say right now, but sending aroha to Andrew's whanau and loved ones," Flying Nun wrote in a statement. "Our hearts and thoughts go out to his family, friends and all those who knew him. We're so lucky to have been touched by his music and he will be deeply missed."
Brough had a long and celebrated musical career, first starting out in the '80s as the singer of Dunedin bands the Blue Meanies and the Orange. But it wasn't until he joined Straitjacket Fits that his career took off.
Formed in 1986, Straitjacket Fits featured Brough sharing songwriting duties with Shayne Carter, and the band quickly became one of Flying Nun's most successful groups, pioneering the so-called "Dunedin sound."
Brough's time in Straitjacket Fits was short-lived, however, with the musician leaving the group after their second album, 1990's Melt, due to various conflicts, including clashes with Carter. During Brough's tenure in the group, he wrote one of their most famed tracks "Down in Splendour," which appeared on Melt.
Following his departure from Straitjacket Fits, Brough went on to form the group Bike, who released their album Take in the Sun in 1997. Bike's track "Save My Life" became a hit in Australia and was used in the TV series Home and Away.
In 2008, Brough was inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame alongside Straitjacket Fits.
We're shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Andrew Brough. Our hearts and thoughts go out to his family, friends and all those who knew him.
— Flying Nun Records (@FlyingNun) February 4, 2020
We're so lucky to have been touched by his music and he will be deeply missed.
