Aussie rocker Andrew Picouleau has died following a long battle with a "serious" illness.
It was his bandmate who confirmed the death of Picouleau – who is best known for his work with The Metronomes, and Dave Graney and the Coral Snakes, and Sacred Cowboys – in a series of emotional messages.
"It is with deep sadness and profound heartbreak that we find ourselves posting the news that Andrew Picouleau, gifted bass player, musical creative and wonderful singer, passed away this week after a long illness," musician Al Webb wrote in a statement shared to The Metronomes' Facebook page.
Watch the video above.
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"Ash Wednesday and I have been making music with Andrew on and off for over 40 years," Webb's message, shared on October 16, continued.
"Every time we reassembled after our regular sabbaticals (20 years at one stage), the conversations instantly flowed, the ideas likewise.
"Whatever the musical result – and we had our moments! – the joy of creating something together with Ash and Andrew never diminished over that time."
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Webb said it was hard for him to believe that he, synth pop artist Ash Wednesday and Picouleau would not be "getting together again to pull something new out of the air again...it seemed like it would go on forever."
He then remembered Picouleau as "one of the smartest, most amiable and intelligent individuals I've come across in my life", noting that it pained him to be talking about Picouleau in the past tense.
"I always looked forward to the video hookups the three of us had," his tribute continued. "Three separate souls, but when we were in the same space, we just...well, blended. I know Ash is feeling this as painfully as I am."
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Webb then said he feels "deeply" for Picouleau's family, who he says of course would be "struggling with this more than anyone."
"All I can say is that I feel lucky to have had Andrew in my life," Webb's message concluded.
Webb – who formed The Metronomes with bass player Picouleau and synth pioneer Ash Wednesday in 1979 in Melbourne – also uploaded a six-minute video tribute to Picouleau on YouTube, celebrating the almost five decades the trio had spent making music together.
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"He was one of life's wonderful people, sharp and articulate, and a highly skilful and intelligent bass player who gave The Metronomes an unusually solid foundation for an electronic/synth group. He was also a brilliant vocalist," part of Webb's tribute's caption read.
No further details about Picouleau's illness, or his age, were provided.
In addition to The Metronomes, Picouleau was also the bassist for Dave Graney and the Coral Snakes.
He notably contributed to Night of the Wolverine, the band's 1993 album that emerged as a cult favourite and became a significant influence in Australia's alt-rock scene in the years following despite a lack of mainstream commercial success.
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