Graeme Naysmith, guitarist and co-founder of the English band Pale Saints, died on April 4 at the age of 57. The announcement came from the Facebook profile of X-Ray Eyes, the musician's current band:
We're devastated to say that our guitarist and friend Jock [Strap] (Graeme) Naysmith died recently. He was a great guitar player but an even better guy and we're going to miss him like you wouldn't believe. He was a much loved husband and father and our thoughts are with all his family. We managed to record a load of new songs with Jock over the last few years, hopefully they'll be released in the future.
The cause of death was not disclosed.
Pale Saints was active between 1987 and 1996. The band was one of the main names associated with shoegaze and dream pop styles during that period. Of his three albums, The Comforts of Madness (1990) is the most important.
In the photo above, the band's lineup from 1990 onwards: Graeme Naysmith, Ian Masters, Meriel Barham and Chris Cooper. Photo by Matthew Heslop.