Died Pretty
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1983 in Sydney, Australia |
| Founder | Ron Peno, Brett Myers |
| Defunct | 2002 (initial dissolution) |
| Fate | Reunited multiple times; final dissolution after 2023 following lead vocalist's death |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
Area served | Australia, Europe, United States |
Key people | Ron Peno (lead vocals), Brett Myers (lead guitar), John Needham (manager) |
| Products | Albums, singles, EPs, live performances |
| Parent | Citadel Records (main label) |
Died Pretty, occasionally referred to as The Died Pretty, was an Australian alternative rock group established in Sydney in 1983 by lead vocalist Ron Peno and lead guitarist Brett Myers. Their musical style merged early electric Bob Dylan influences with psychedelic elements drawn from bands like The Velvet Underground and Television. Managed by John Needham, who also owned their main label Citadel Records, they earned a notable reputation within the alternative music community.
During the 1990s, their albums Doughboy Hollow, Trace, and Sold all entered the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Albums Charts. According to rock historian Ian McFarlane, they "boldly mined rock history to craft a unique sound that was passionate, atmospheric, and uplifting," delivering some of Australia's most influential rock compositions. Although the band dissolved in 2002, they reunited for several brief tours, including a nationwide tour alongside Radio Birdman in mid-2017.
1983–1989: Formation and early years
Established in Sydney in 1983, Peno brought prior experience from punk outfits such as The Hellcats, The 31st, and Screaming Tribesmen. In April that year, keyboardist Frank Brunetti and guitarist Brett Myers—both previously active in Brisbane bands—formed a duo inspired by the New York protopunk act Suicide. Brunetti invited Peno to join as their singer; initially performing under the name Final Solution, they soon adopted the moniker Died Pretty. Drummer Rob Younger briefly played with them before Colin Barwick took over the role. After cycling through several bassists, Jonathan Lickliter joined, later succeeded by Mark Lock.
Under the management of John Needham and signed to Citadel Records, Died Pretty cultivated a sound influenced by psychedelic rock and post-punk styles. Their debut single "Out of the Unknown," produced by Younger, was released in January 1984. Subsequent lineup adjustments included drummer Chris Welsh replacing Barwick and keyboardist John Hoey taking over from Brunetti. In 1985, they issued the EP Next to Nothing, which remained in the alternative top ten charts for nearly twelve months and yielded three No. 1 hits on alternative radio.
Their inaugural album, Free Dirt (1986), produced by Younger and distributed internationally through What Goes On and Citadel, supported tours across Europe and the United States. Despite modest commercial success in the UK, they developed a strong following in France and Italy. The succeeding album Lost (1988), released domestically via Blue Mosque/Festival Records and internationally through Beggars Banquet, became Australia's second best-selling alternative album of that year and reached No. 3 on Italian charts.
After bassist Mark Lock departed due to exhaustion from touring, Steve Clark stepped in on bass duties. Singles from Lost included "Winterland," "Towers of Strength," and "Out of My Hands." Throughout this period, the band completed multiple tours across the US and Europe and remained based in Los Angeles to work on their subsequent project.
1990–2002: Second era
Died Pretty produced their third studio album, Every Brilliant Eye, in Los Angeles under the guidance of producer Jeff Eyrich. Released in April 1990 through Blue Mosque, the record showcased refined, rock-driven tracks including singles such as "Whitlam Square," "True Fools Fall," and "Is There Anyone?".
Their fourth release, Doughboy Hollow (August 1991), issued via Blue Mosque and Beggars Banquet, achieved a peak position of No. 24 on the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Albums Chart. With Hugh Jones at the production helm, the album delivered emotionally charged and theatrical compositions. Although singles like "Stop Myself," "D.C.," and "Sweetheart" received critical acclaim, they had limited chart success. Following these sessions, bassist Robert Warren took over from Clark. The band earned two ARIA Award nominations during this period. Several changes in the drummer role occurred before Welsh returned at the end of the year.
Reuniting with producer Hugh Jones, their fifth album Trace (September 1993) became their highest-selling work, reaching No. 11 on the ARIA Albums Chart. It generated four singles: "Caressing Swine," "Harness Up," "Headaround," and "A State of Graceful Mourning." Shortly after its release, Welsh departed again; Nick Kennedy stepped in as drummer for the 1994 EP Days. Early in 1995, the band supported R.E.M. during their Australian Monster Tour.
The 1996 album Sold (February) featured drummers Kennedy and Shane Melder and marked a reunion with original producer Younger alongside Wayne Connolly. Mixing was completed at Fort Apache Studios by Paul Kolderie and Sean Slade. The album's rawer sound earned favorable reviews and placed it within the Top 30 charts. Despite singles "Cuttin' Up Her Legs" and "Good at Love" not charting, Sony dropped the band in April 1996. Simon Cox joined on drums in May; they subsequently signed again with Citadel Records and released the four-track EP Deeper in November, produced by Connolly with guest musician Brad Shepherd.
Their last two studio albums, Using My Gills As a Roadmap (1998) and Everydaydream (2000), incorporated electronic elements inspired by Kraftwerk, David Bowie's Low, and Euro dance genres. In 1999, Citadel released a compilation titled Out of the Unknown – The Best of Died Pretty.
In December 2001, bassist Warren temporarily left due to tinnitus. Myers and Peno commenced work on new material but encountered difficulties as Peno relocated to Melbourne. In May 2002, Died Pretty announced their dissolution following a farewell Australian tour featuring Warren's return. They released a final three-track single, "My Generation Landslide," in August.
2002–2023: Subsequent endeavors and reunions
In 2005, Peno collaborated with guitarist and vocalist Kim Salmon (The Scientists, Beasts of Bourbon) to form the country-inspired group Darling Downs, producing two albums: How Can I Forget This Heart of Mine? (2005) and From One to Another (2007). In 2007, Peno and Myers independently issued an album under Noises and Other Voices that included material originally intended for Died Pretty’s unproduced final album alongside fresh compositions. They also occasionally performed 'Songs of Died Pretty Unplugged' shows across major Australian cities.
Died Pretty reunited in February 2008 to perform Doughboy Hollow in its entirety as part of the All Tomorrow's Parties-curated Don't Look Back series, bringing together the original album lineup after sixteen years apart. A documentary featuring interviews and live footage was announced concurrently. Citadel Records remastered and expanded Doughboy Hollow for a February re-release followed by a national tour hitting major urban centers. The band also appeared at the 2008 Homebake Festival and were inducted into Melbourne’s EG Awards Hall of Fame. They participated again in the nationwide Big Day Out tour in January 2009, having performed at its inaugural event in 1992. Deluxe reissues of their debut album Free Dirt (2008) and 1988’s Lost (2013) were made available through Aztec Music.
Peno & Myers delivered an acoustic performance in Brisbane in November 2009; by May 2010, Peno resumed his solo career pursuits. In October 2010, Doughboy Hollow was included in the publication 100 Best Australian Albums.
In April 2012, Died Pretty took part in the Dig It Up! concert series commemorating three decades of fellow Australian band Hoodoo Gurus. March 2016 saw them touring Australia as part of 'A Day on the Green' alongside Hoodoo Gurus, Sunnyboys, Violent Femmes, and Ratcat while also headlining club venues. A collaborative national tour with Radio Birdman followed during June–July 2017.
On 14 February 2019, Ron Peno revealed his diagnosis with oesophageal cancer, resulting in cancellation of upcoming performances; subsequent updates highlighted his determination to overcome the illness. By August that year, following chemotherapy and surgery, medical reports confirmed complete removal of cancerous tissue. In December 2019, Died Pretty scheduled Australian concerts for April–May 2020.
The band officially resumed live performances at Sydney’s Factory Theatre on 17 April 2021. On 24 March 2023, they released a double live album titled Live, recorded during their 2008 Melbourne Forum Theatre concert celebrating Doughboy Hollow.
An October 2023 live tour was cancelled in July due to both Peno and Welsh receiving cancer diagnoses. Ron Peno passed away on 10 August 2023 at age 68.
Personnel
Final roster
- Brett Myers – guitar, backing vocals, occasional lead vocals (1983–2002, 2008–2009, 2012, 2016–2023)
- Ronald S. Peno – lead vocals (1983–2002, 2008–2009, 2012, 2016–2023; deceased 2023)
- Chris Welsh – drums and percussion (1985–1992, 1993–1995, 2008–2009, 2012, 2016–2023)
- Dr Steve Clark – bass guitar (1988–1991, 2008–2009, 2012, 2016–2023)
- John Hoey – keyboards (1988–2002, 2008–2009, 2012, 2016–2023)
Past members
- Frank Brunetti – keyboards (1983–1988)
- Rob Younger – drums (1983)
- Colin Barwick – drums (1983–1985)
- Jonathan Lickliter – bass guitar (1983–1984)
- Mark Lock – bass guitar (1984–1988)
- Robert Warren – bass guitar and backing vocals (1991–2002)
- Murray Shepherd – drums (1992)
- Warwick Fraser – drums (1992)
- Stuart Eadie – drums (1992–1993)
- Nick Kennedy – drums (1995)
- Shane Melder – drums (1995)
- Simon Cox – drums (1996–2002)
Timeline
Guest musicians
- Louis Tillett – piano
- Graham Lee – pedal steel guitar
- John Papanis – mandolin
- Julian Watchhorn – violin
- Tim Fagan – saxophone
- Astrid Munday – backing vocals
- Don Walker – piano
- J'Anna Jacobi – violin
- Shandra Beri – backing vocals
- Gary McLaughlin – percussion
- Gonzalo Quintana III – drums
- Amanda Brown – violin
- Sarah Peet – cello
- Sunil de Silva – percussion
- Eleanor Rodgers – harmonies
- Caroline Lavelle – cello
- Jack Howard – trumpet
Studio albums
| Album title | Release details | Peak chart position in Australia |
|---|---|---|
| ARIA Charts | ||
| Free Dirt |
|
185 |
| Lost |
|
– |
| Every Brilliant Eye |
|
79 |
| Doughboy Hollow |
|
24 |
| Trace |
|
11 |
| Sold |
|
29 |
| Using My Gills as a Roadmap |
|
– |
| Everydaydream |
|
– |
Live albums
| Title | Album specifics |
|---|---|
| Live Died Pretty |
|
Compilation albums
| Title | Album specifics |
|---|---|
| Pre-Deity |
|
| Out of the Unknown – The Best of Died Pretty |
|
| Something We Left Behind |
|
Extended plays
| Title | Album specifics | Highest chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS | ||
| Next To Nothing |
|
– |
| Days |
|
69 |
| Deeper |
|
– |
Singles
| Release Year | Single Title | Highest chart position |
Associated Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS | |||
| 1984 | "Out of the Unknown" | – | |
| "Mirror Blues" | – | ||
| 1985 | "Final Twist" | – | Next to Nothing |
| 1986 | "Stoneage Cinderella" | – | Free Dirt |
| "Blue Sky Day" | – | ||
| 1987 | "Winterland" | – | Lost |
| 1988 | "Towers of Strength" | – | |
| "Out of My Hands" | – | ||
| 1989 | "Everybody Moves" | 154 | |
| 1990 | "Whitlam Square" | 155 | "Every Brilliant Eye" |
| "True Fools Fall" | – | ||
| "1991" | "Stop Myself" | 163 | "Doughboy Hollow" |
| "D.C." | 124 | ||
| "1992" | "Sweetheart" | 129 | |
| "1993" | "Caressing Swine" | 74 | "Trace" |
| "Harness Up" | 35 | ||
| "Headaround" | 96 | ||
| "A State of Graceful Mourning" | – | ||
| "1995" | "Cuttin' Up Her Legs" | – | "Sold" |
| "Good at Love" | – | ||
| "1997" | "Radio" | – | "Using My Gills As a Roadmap" |
| "1998" | "Slide Song" | – | |
| "2000" | "That Look Before"/"Misunderstood" | – | "Everydaydream" |
| "2002" | "My Generation Landslide" | – |
Non-album single |
The ARIA Music Awards are held annually to honor outstanding accomplishments, creativity, and excellence across all categories of Australian music. The awards have been presented since 1987.
| Year | Work | Category | Result | Reference |
|---|
|- | rowspan=2 | 1989 || Lost || Best New Talent || Nominated || rowspan=2 | |- | Robyn Stacey & Richard Allan – Lost || Best Cover Art || Nominated || |- | rowspan=2 | 1992 || Doughboy Hollow || Album of the Year || Won || rowspan=2 | |- | Marcel Lunam for Died Pretty – "D.C." || Best Video || Nominated ||
The Age EG Awards
Since 2005, the Age EG Awards have been held annually to honor outstanding achievements in Victorian music.
|- | 2008 | Died Pretty | Hall of Fame | |-
References
- General
- Specific
External links
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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- Articles with short description
- Australian alternative rock groups
- Musical groups established in 1983
- Musical groups disbanded in 2002
- Musical groups reformed in 2008
- Musical groups disbanded in 2023
- Musical groups originating from Sydney
- 1983 establishments in Australia
- 2023 disestablishments in Australia
- Musical groups disestablished in 2002
- Pages with reference errors