Hamish Kilgour — drummer, singer-songwriter and co-founder of Kiwipop greats the Clean — has died. He was 65.
The musician was reported missing by Christchurch police last week, having last been seen at the Palms shopping mall the weekend prior. Now, representatives for the band have confirmed that Kilgour has been found dead [via Pitchfork]. A cause of death has not yet been revealed.
Merge Records, the Clean's US label, shared the following statement:
With very heavy hearts, we can confirm that Hamish Kilgour has passed away in his home country of New Zealand.
As a founding member of the Clean, with his brother, David, and Robert Scott, Hamish produced one of the most important and timeless bodies of work in rock music. As a drummer, Hamish had a propulsive, instantly recognizable style and an understated power; he was a joy to watch play. Hamish was one of the most colorful and creative musicians we have been lucky to work with, both as a singer, guitarist, and songwriter with the group he started with Lisa Siegel, the Mad Scene, and, of course, with the Clean. Hamish was also an accomplished visual artist, and his fantastical drawings adorn many record sleeves.
We feel lucky to have known him. Our thoughts are with his family and his fellow members of the New Zealand music community. Save travels, Hamish.
The Clean formed in Dunedin in 1978, founded by Kilgour and his brother, guitarist David Kilgour. They're oft-cited as key architects of the jangly, reverb-drenched "Dunedin sound." They released their debut single "Tally Ho!" in 1981 on Flying Nun, helping to launch the fan-started New Zealand label into the stratosphere.
The band's initial manifestation only lasted 18 months, beginning a pattern of regular irregularity that would characterize their career. Following their first two separations, they released their debut album Vehicle in 1990 before calling it quits yet again. They reconvened to release 1995's Modern Rock and 1996's Unknown Country before taking another hiatus.
When the trio of the Kilgour brothers and bassist Robert Scott reunited again in 2000, the Clean had become a massive influence on a new generation of largely US-based bands, including Pavement, Guided by Voices and Galaxie 500. Their 2001 album Getaway featured guest appearances from Yo La Tengo's Georgia Hubley and Ira Kaplan. They released their most recent record Mister Pop in 2009.
Hamish Kilgour had a variety of projects outside of the Clean, including the Great Unwashed with David and Mad Scene with his later-ex-wife Lisa Siegel. He also co-founded space-rock group Bailter Space and made his solo debut in 2014 with All of It and Nothing, followed by 2018's Finklestein, based on a children's story he created for his son.
The musician was reported missing by Christchurch police last week, having last been seen at the Palms shopping mall the weekend prior. Now, representatives for the band have confirmed that Kilgour has been found dead [via Pitchfork]. A cause of death has not yet been revealed.
Merge Records, the Clean's US label, shared the following statement:
With very heavy hearts, we can confirm that Hamish Kilgour has passed away in his home country of New Zealand.
As a founding member of the Clean, with his brother, David, and Robert Scott, Hamish produced one of the most important and timeless bodies of work in rock music. As a drummer, Hamish had a propulsive, instantly recognizable style and an understated power; he was a joy to watch play. Hamish was one of the most colorful and creative musicians we have been lucky to work with, both as a singer, guitarist, and songwriter with the group he started with Lisa Siegel, the Mad Scene, and, of course, with the Clean. Hamish was also an accomplished visual artist, and his fantastical drawings adorn many record sleeves.
We feel lucky to have known him. Our thoughts are with his family and his fellow members of the New Zealand music community. Save travels, Hamish.
The Clean formed in Dunedin in 1978, founded by Kilgour and his brother, guitarist David Kilgour. They're oft-cited as key architects of the jangly, reverb-drenched "Dunedin sound." They released their debut single "Tally Ho!" in 1981 on Flying Nun, helping to launch the fan-started New Zealand label into the stratosphere.
The band's initial manifestation only lasted 18 months, beginning a pattern of regular irregularity that would characterize their career. Following their first two separations, they released their debut album Vehicle in 1990 before calling it quits yet again. They reconvened to release 1995's Modern Rock and 1996's Unknown Country before taking another hiatus.
When the trio of the Kilgour brothers and bassist Robert Scott reunited again in 2000, the Clean had become a massive influence on a new generation of largely US-based bands, including Pavement, Guided by Voices and Galaxie 500. Their 2001 album Getaway featured guest appearances from Yo La Tengo's Georgia Hubley and Ira Kaplan. They released their most recent record Mister Pop in 2009.
Hamish Kilgour had a variety of projects outside of the Clean, including the Great Unwashed with David and Mad Scene with his later-ex-wife Lisa Siegel. He also co-founded space-rock group Bailter Space and made his solo debut in 2014 with All of It and Nothing, followed by 2018's Finklestein, based on a children's story he created for his son.