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David Thomas, frontman of experimental rockers Pere Ubu, dead at 71

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David Thomas, the live-wire frontman for experimental rockers Pere Ubu, has died. He was 71.

The band shared information about Thomas’ passing on their official Facebook account, stating that he had succumbed to a prolonged sickness.

Thomas passed away in his beloved city of Brighton & Hove, surrounded by his wife and youngest stepdaughter. The radio was playing music from MC5 as the news spread. His final wish was to be laid to rest on his farm in Pennsylvania, where he requested to be “placed in the barn.

Thomas, hailing from Miami, played a significant role in the experimental rock underground scene of Cleveland, which later produced bands such as the Dead Boys, Devo, and Nine Inch Nails. Initially, Thomas gained recognition as part of the band Rocket From the Tombs, although they never recorded an album. However, within their short lifespan, they made a substantial impact locally. Known for his high-pitched voice bordering on falsetto and preference for donning academic suits during performances, Thomas stood out both visually and musically.

In 1975, a group of Rocket From the Tombs band members decided to break off and form Pere Ubu, taking their name from a play written by French author Alfred Jarry. This band was incredibly forward-thinking for its time (and remains so today), as they chose to diverge from the aggressive punk movement’s snarls by creating artful dissonance instead, accompanied by heavy rhythms, a fondness for B-movie soundtracks, Thomas’ unique blend of sung and spoken literary references, and poetry that reflected his bruised emotions.

In the late ’70s, Pere Ubu’s album “The Modern Dance” (1978), a significant milestone in post-punk and new wave music, emerged at a time when punk was peaking in popularity in the US. Though it didn’t achieve commercial success during its original run from 1975 to 1982, Pere Ubu served as an influential force for many experimental rock musicians and producers. The group, which has seen multiple lineup changes centered around Thomas, produced a total of 19 studio albums, with “Dub Housing” (1978) being one of the most acclaimed, and “New Picnic Time” (1979), an intense and grating record, inspiring acts like Sonic Youth.

Thomas’ individual career featured partnerships with the talented singer-songwriter, Richard Thompson, as well as Hal Willner, a renowned music producer from “Saturday Night Live”.

The upcoming Pere Ubu music might be released after David Thomas’s passing, as he and his band were in the process of recording a new album, which he considered his final one. We plan to complete mixing and finishing touches on the album so fans can enjoy his last musical creations. Additionally, we will complete his autobiography for him.

The band’s statement concluded by saying, “We’re passing on his own words, which provide a more accurate portrait of him than we could ever manage. ‘I am David F Thomas… and I am the lead vocalist of the greatest motherf rock n roll band in existence.’

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2025-04-24 22:01

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