R.I.P. Rowland S. Howard

[Skummy]

As if losing Ron Asheton and Lux Interior within a year wasn't bad enough, 2009 managed to claim one more victim - Rowland S. Howard, a truly influential genius, passed away from cancer today. Really quite sad about this - he was only 50, and I'd been desperately hoping on new material for a while now.

For those that don't know, he was guitarist in The Birthday Party - one of the most incredible bands to ever walk the earth - and before that The Boys Next Door, who were basically shit, but he wrote their best song. He collaborated with Lydia Lunch on some incredible records, and worked with Thurston Moore and the late Nikki Sudden, as well as the criminally under-rated Crime And The City Solution and These Immortal Souls.

He was just about to start playing live again, but the gigs were cancelled due to his illness. Really very very sad, I doubt we shall know his ilk again.

[METALMAN]

It's a shame but I could kind of see it coming. His album this year shows he was fantastic right to the very end though.

RIP

[Skummy]

He'd been ill for a long time, but you always kind of hope that it's not going to happen. At least not yet. I mean...the world still hasn't caught up to The Birthday Party yet, it's hardly fair.

[Death Before Dishonor]

A little late but it's been awhile since I've signed in. Did you by chance hear the new "Pop Crimes" album Skum? I haven't been able to find a hard copy here in the States thus far, a friend of mine in Melbourne ripped me a copy and I do feel quite guilty not having purchased it. I had heard about his illness for some time but wasn't expecting his passing.

I don't think there's been a record that Rowland has been on that I haven't thoroughly enjoyed. He was a great musician and you can't mistake his sound.

RIP RSH.

[Skummy]

I haven't actually heard Pop Crimes yet - I've heard nothing but good things, though. I've ordered it, and I'm waiting on my copy. Been listening to his stuff with Lydia Lunch and with Nikki Sudden a lot lately, the man can do no wrong.

[Death Before Dishonor]

Indeed, I've had it and Teenage Snuff Film basically on repeat for the past few days, with Prayers On Fire and Shotgun Wedding neatly squeezed in between. It's unfortunate most people will never be exposed to his music.