Died Pretty – Live at Podium ‘t Beest, Goes The Netherlands – January 9, 1987 – Gordon Skene Sound Collection –
Died Pretty in concert during their 1987 tour, recorded at Podium ‘t Beest, Goes in The Netherlands on January 9, 1987.
Died Pretty was formed in 1983 in Sydney after vocalist Ron Peno had left his previous band, Screaming Tribesmen. Peno had been a member of Sydney punk band The Hellcats (as Ronnie Pop, 1977), and followed with The 31st (in Brisbane, 1979–1981) and Screaming Tribesmen (Brisbane then Sydney, 1981–1983). In April 1983, music journalist and keyboardist Frank Brunetti of Super K had formed a duo with lead guitarist and vocalist Brett Myers from The End (in Brisbane then Sydney). Myers was a fan of American group Velvet Underground and the duo modelled themselves after experimental New York protopunk band Suicide. Brunetti suggested Peno join as singer and their first five performances were in Brisbane under the name Final Solution, after the song by Pere Ubu. Peno provided the name Died Pretty, and on drums, they recruited Rob Younger (Radio Birdman, Super K) for two months. After various bass guitarists, Jonathan Lickliter joined and Younger was replaced by Colin Barwick both from The End with Myers. Younger concentrated on his career as producer for Citadel Records. Died Pretty signed with Citadel and were managed by the label’s owner John Needham. Their music started from a base of early electric Bob Dylan with psychedelic influences, including The Velvet Underground and Television. According to rock music historian, Ian McFarlane, they “unashamedly plundered rock’s past to arrive at an original sound that was always passionate, atmospheric and uplifting … produced some of the most inspirational rock music heard in Australia”.
The band had intended to return to the stage for a live tour in October 2023; this was cancelled in July, however, due to both Peno and drummer Chris Welsh battling different forms of cancer. Peno died on 10 August 2023, at the age of 68.
For a reminder, here is what they were up to in 1987. Crank it up and give it a listen.
