Legendobit: Peter Gutteridge

Peter Gutteridge, a legend in New Zealand's underground music scene, has died.

Gutteridge was a founding member of The Clean, The Chills and Snapper, and also had a solo career.

Last year, Gutteridge spoke at length with Mess And Noise's Wes Holland:

Peter was in the kitchen. I could see him wiping out a mug and diluting a soup.

He walked into the lounge, sat down and asked, “So, do you make music?”

“I play in a couple of bands, one’s called The Sand Pebbles…”

“And what sort of music do The Sand Pebbles make?”

Anxious, I uttered a line I thought would get him on-side.

“I guess you could describe it as sounding like the trippiness of psychedelia and the…”

He interrupted. He didn’t like me saying that. “There’s that word! If I had a dollar for every band that I’ve heard in the last couple of years call themselves ‘psychedelic’. Bands think that using a bit of feedback and an effect pedal somehow makes them psychedelic. It’s bullshit.”

Flying Nun have issued a statement:

We are greatly saddened to learn of the passing of Peter Gutteridge today.

Peter was a Flying Nun original, a founding member of The Clean, The Chills and of course his own brilliant band Snapper. A great talent, he was also member of the Great Unwashed, involved in many Dunedin bands and went on to release beautiful solo material across the years.

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.

Still very much an active musician, earlier this month, Pete had played his first ever show in the US.

The cause of death, and even his exact age, is currently unknown. He died earlier on September 15th.