Andrew Picouleau, best known for his work with Dave Graney and the Coral Snakes, The Metronomes and Sacred Cowboys, has died after a long illness.
His death was confirmed by his bandmates on Wednesday, although no details about his age or the specific cause of death have been released.
The news of his death was first shared in a moving statement on The Metronomes’ official Facebook page by band member Alister Webb.
In the statement, Webb wrote, “It is with deep sadness and deep heartbreak that we post the news that Andrew Picouleau, gifted bassist, musical creative and incredible singer, passed away this week after a long illness.”
Reflecting on their decades-long creative collaboration, Webb continued, “Ash Wednesday and I have been making music with Andrew on and off for over 40 years. Every time we got back together after our regular sabbaticals (once twenty years), the conversations started immediately, and so did the ideas.
‘Whatever the musical outcome was – and we had our moments! – the joy of creating together with Ash and Andrew has never diminished in that time.
“It’s hard to believe that we won’t come together again to pull something new off the air again… 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 the Coral Snakes, The Metronomes and Sacred Cowboys, has died after a long illness.
His death was confirmed by his bandmates on Wednesday, although no details about his age or the specific cause of death have been released. (Image right)
‘Andrew was (it pains me to talk about him in the past tense) one of the smartest, most lovable and intelligent individuals I have encountered in my life. I always looked forward to the video dates that all three of us had. Three separate souls, but when we were in the same room we just… well, blended,” 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 deeply sympathize with Andrew’s family – Margaret, Robert and Claire – who will struggle with this more than anyone. All I can say is that I’m glad I had Andrew in my life.’
Andrew, pictured right, next to Garry Gray and Sacred Cowboys bandmates Mark Ferrie, Janis Friedenfelds, Garry Gray and Terry Doolan (L-R)
To further honor his late bandmate, Webb uploaded a six-minute tribute video to YouTube, celebrating Andrew’s 44 years of making music alongside him and Ash Wednesday.
“He was one of life’s great people, sharp and articulate, and a highly 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 singer. This is our tribute to Andrew, memories of the 44 years that Ash Wednesday and I played music with Andrew in The Metronomes.”
Fans and fellow musicians have begun sharing their own tributes online, remembering Picouleau for his contributions to Australian music history.
One fan commented: ‘He was the backbone of the band and always so captivating on stage. Without him, the Metronomes would never have been the same.”
Picouleau made his mark on the Australian music scene as bassist for Dave Graney and the Coral Snakes, most notably contributing to the 1993 album Night of the Wolverine.
Although not a mainstream commercial success, it is often regarded as 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 electronic and synth group that emerged in the 1980s.
His contributions helped shape their distinctive sound, which earned 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 landscape.