Died On This Date (November 24, 2010) Peter “Sleazy” Christopherson / Throbbing Gristle

Peter Christopherson
February 27, 1955 – November 24, 2010

Known by the stage name, Sleazy, Peter Christopherson is best remembered as a founding member of British avant-garde industrial band, Throbbing Gristle.  He was also part of such projects  Psychic TV, Coil, Soisong, and The Threshold HouseBoy’s Choir. Throbbing Gristle formed in 1975, with Christopherson mostly handling synthesizers and vibraphone.  The group developed a very loyal following thanks in part to their sometimes controversial shows that often included disturbing visuals of Nazi concentration camps and pornography.  Throbbing Gristle  were pioneers of incorporating prerecorded tapes, or “samples” into their shows, and paved the way for such bands as Skinny Puppy, Nine Inch Nails, Front 242.  The group broke up in 1981 but then reformed in 2004.   Remarkably prolific, they recorded numerous albums for the highly influential Mute Records, also the one-time home for Depeche Mode, The Birthday Party, Nick Cave and Erasure, to name a few.   While he wasn’t making music, Christopherson was a video director, graphic artist, and photographer.  Peter Christopherson passed away in his sleep on November 24, 2010.  Cause of death was not immediately released.  He was 55.

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20 Jazz Funk Greats (Remastered) - Throbbing Gristle

Died On This Date (December 30, 2009) Rowland S. Howard / The Birthday Party

Rowland S. Howard
October 24, 1959 – December 30, 2009

Photo by Simon Schluter

Rowland S. Howard was an Australian guitarist and songwriter who is best remembered for his work with Nick Cave in the Birthday Party, a proto-punk / art-rock band that formed from the ashes of the new wave band, the Boys Next Door.  The band created a loyal cult following thanks in part to Howard’s aggressive guitar and feedback.  After leaving the group in 1983, Howard collaborated with numerous artists including Lydia Lunch, Henry RollinsJeffrey Lee Pierce, Epic Soundtracks, and Nikki Sudden.  Howard released just two solo albums, Teenage Snuff Film and Pop Crimes, both of which were positively received by fans and critics.  In later years he was relatively inactive due to personal and health reasons.  On December 30, 2009, Rowland S. Howard died of liver cancer at the age of 50.

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Prayers On Fire - The Birthday Party

Died On This Date (November 7, 1986) Tracy Pew / The Birthday Party

Tracy Pew
December 19, 1957 – November 7, 1986

tracypew

Tracy Pew is best remembered as the bassist for late ’70s / early ’80s Australian post punk goth rock band, The Birthday Party.  Although the band never achieved much more than limited cult status, it’s individual members, including Nick Cave, went on to varying levels of success after the band split up in 1983.  It was then that Pew all but retired from the music business, opting instead to go to university where he studied philosophy and literature.  He did resurface over the next couple of years to participate in a Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds album as well as one by Lydia Lunch.  On November 7, 1986, Tracy Pew died of an epileptic seizure at the age of 28.

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The Birthday Party