Peter Gutteridge, Founding Member of The Clean and The Chills, Has Died

New Zealand indie pioneer Peter Gutteridge, founding member of the Clean and the Chills, has died, Flying Nun Records has announced. He was in his early 50s.

Gutteridge was an architect of the “Dunedin sound,” founding the Clean in the late 1970s and the Chills in the early ’80s. (He was a member of the latter band for just a few months.) His more long-running project was Snapper and he was also a member of the Clean offshoot the Great Unwashed. Gutteridge released a solo album, Pure, in 1989. He performed in the U.S. for the first time earlier this year.

Gutteridge’s songs have been covered by Yo La Tengo, Ducktails, and Wooden Shjips.

Flying Nun said in a statement:

All of us, and so many people around the world, have been touched and affected by his music, whether it be the swirling fuzz of the guitar or haunting piano melodies, Peter was a true hero of New Zealand music, and will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family and friends at this very sad time. Thank you Peter for all the music, may you rest in peace.

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