Australian rocker dies after long illness: ‘Won’t be the same without him’

Australian rocker dies after long illness: 'Won't be the same without him'

As a devoted fan of Andrew Picouleau and his extraordinary musical journey, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of loss. The news of his passing has left an indelible void in my heart and the Australian music scene.


As a connoisseur of life’s rhythm and melody, I regret to share the profound loss we all feel as Andrew Picouleau, a luminary in the world of music who graced our ears with the Coral Snakes, The Metronomes, and Sacred Cowboys, has departed us after a prolonged struggle with illness.

It was announced by his fellow band members on Wednesday that he had passed away, but no information regarding his exact age or the precise reason for his demise has been disclosed yet.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I was deeply saddened to learn about the demise of our cherished musician, whom we had the privilege of knowing as part of the vibrant music collective, The Metronomes. This heartfelt announcement was made on their official Facebook page by bandmate Alister Webb, who shared a touching tribute that resonated with all of us.

With a heavy heart, we share the tragic news that Andrew Picouleau, an exceptionally talented bass player, musician, and vocalist, lost his life this week following a prolonged illness.

Pondering their several-decade-long musical collaboration, Webb remarked, ‘Ash Wednesday and I have been creating music with Andrew on and off for over 40 years. Each time we reunited following our usual breaks (lasting twenty years at one point), our discussions resumed effortlessly, as did the generation of new ideas.’

As a lifestyle expert, let me share my personal experience: Collaborating with Ash and Andrew on our musical endeavors was an unforgettable journey. Regardless of the final outcome, the sheer delight of working together to bring our creations to life never waned throughout our time.

It’s tough to accept that we won’t gather for more brainstorming sessions, coming up with fresh ideas as if there was no end in sight.

In Webb’s heartfelt homage, he didn’t only pay tribute to Andrew’s exceptional musical skills, but also underscored the profound bond of friendship they shared.

Australian rocker dies after long illness: 'Won't be the same without him'

Australian rocker dies after long illness: 'Won't be the same without him'

‘Andrew was an exceptionally smart, friendly, and insightful person I’ve met in my lifetime. Our video calls as a group were always something I eagerly anticipated. Though unique individually, when we connected, we seemed to merge effortlessly.’ (He wrote this.)

In his message, I too share my heartfelt sympathies with the family of Picouleau. Just like him, I can feel the pain of losing Ash deeply.

I’m deeply concerned about the family of Andrew – Margaret, Robert, and Claire – who are undoubtedly going through a tough time. Frankly, I consider myself fortunate to have known Andrew.

Australian rocker dies after long illness: 'Won't be the same without him'

I took it upon myself to pay a heartfelt tribute to my late bandmate, Andrew, by sharing a six-minute video on YouTube. This moving testament highlights the 44 years we spent creating music together as part of Ash Wednesday.

In his post, he described him as one of those exceptional individuals in life, both quick-witted and eloquent, and an incredibly talented and intelligent bassist. Notably, he provided The Metronomes with a remarkably strong rhythmic base for their electronic/synth band.

He was not only an exceptional singer, but also a key member of our band. This musical tribute is dedicated to Andrew, commemorating the 44 years we spent making music together as part of The Metronomes.

People, both fans and fellow musicians, are posting their personal tributes on the internet, honoring Picouleau for his significant impact on Australia’s musical heritage.

I wholeheartedly echo those words. I’ve always admired that he was the pillar of our band, an enigma who captivated us all during performances. The Metronomes wouldn’t have had the same spirit without his presence.

Picouleau left an indelible impression on the Australian music world by playing the bass for Dave Graney and the Coral Snakes, particularly through his work on their 1993 album titled Night of the Wolverine.

Although it didn’t achieve widespread commercial popularity, the album is generally viewed as a notable contribution within Australia’s alternative rock community.

Apart from his involvement with The Coral Snakes, Picouleau was additionally a significant contributor to The Metronomes, a prominent electronic and synthesizer band that gained prominence in the 1980s.

His input significantly molded their unique musical style, garnering the group a dedicated fanbase at the peak of Australia’s thriving underground music movement.

Additionally, he was part of a post-punk group known as Sacred Cowboys, whose impact on the nation’s rock scene remains significant even today.

Read More

2024-10-20 04:14

Previous post Showing Maddie what she’s missing! MAFS groom Ash Galati flaunts his washboard abs following dramatic 15kg weight loss transformation
Next post Wynne keeps his ‘wandering hands’ to himself after last weekend’s awkward incident with Katya