Andrew Picouleau, best known for his work with Dave Graney and Coral Snakes, The Metronomes and Sacred Cowboys, has passed away after a long illness.
His death was confirmed by his bandmates on Wednesday, although no details regarding his age or the specific cause of death have been revealed.
News of his passing was first shared in a touching statement posted on The Metronomes’ official Facebook page by band member Alister Webb.
In the statement, Webb wrote: “It is with deep sadness and deep anguish that we find ourselves publishing the news that Andrew Picouleau, talented bassist, musical creative and wonderful singer, passed away this week after a long illness.”
Reflecting on their decades-long creative partnership, Webb continued: “Ash Wednesday and I have been making music with Andrew on and off for over 40 years. Whenever we got together after our usual sabbaticals (20 years at one point ), conversations flowed instantly, as did ideas.
‘Whatever the musical outcome (and we had our moments!), the joy of creating something together with Ash and Andrew never diminished during that time.
“It’s hard to believe we won’t get together again to pull something new out of the air… it seemed like it would go on forever.”
Webb’s emotional tribute highlighted not only Andrew’s musical talents, but also the deep friendship they shared.
Andrew Picouleau, best known for his work with Dave Graney and Coral Snakes, The Metronomes and Sacred Cowboys, has passed away after a long illness.
His death was confirmed by his bandmates on Wednesday, although no details regarding his age or the specific cause of death have been revealed. (Pictured on the right)
‘Andrew was (it pains me to talk about him in the past tense) one of the smartest, kindest, most intelligent people I have ever met in my life. I always looked forward to the video connections the three of us had. “Three separate souls, but when we were in the same space, we just…well, we blended together,” he wrote.
In his message, Webb also expressed his deepest condolences to Picouleau’s family: “I know Ash is feeling this as painfully as I am.
‘I feel deeply for Andrew’s family (Margaret, Robert and Claire), who will have to struggle with this more than anyone. All I can say is that I feel lucky to have had Andrew in my life.”
Andrew, pictured right, with band members Garry Gray and Sacred Cowboys, Mark Ferrie, Janis Friedenfelds, Garry Gray and Terry Doolan (LR)
To further honor his late bandmate, Webb uploaded a six-minute tribute video to YouTube, celebrating Andrew’s 44 years making music alongside him and Ash Wednesday.
“He was one of the most wonderful people ever, sharp and eloquent, and a very skilled and intelligent bassist who gave The Metronomes an unusually solid foundation for an electronic/synth group,” he captioned the post.
‘He was also a brilliant vocalist. This is our tribute to Andrew, memories of the 44 years that Ash Wednesday and I played music together with Andrew in The Metronomes.’
Fans and fellow musicians have begun sharing their own tributes online, remembering Picouleau for his contributions to Australia’s music history.
One fan commented: “He was the backbone of the band, always so captivating on stage.” The Metronomes would never have been the same without him.’
Picouleau made his mark on the Australian music scene as bassist for Dave Graney and the Coral Snakes, most notably contributing to the band’s 1993 album Night of the Wolverine.
While not a widespread commercial success, the album is often considered an important work in Australia’s alternative rock scene.
In addition to his work with The Coral Snakes, Picouleau was also a key member of The Metronomes, an influential electronics and synth group that emerged in the 1980s.
His contribution helped shape their distinctive sound, earning the band a loyal following during the height of Australia’s underground music scene.
He also played with Sacred Cowboys, a post-punk band that left a lasting impression on the country’s rock scene.