David Thomas, frontman of the influential bands Pere Ubu and Rocket From the Tombs, died Wednesday (April twenty third) at age 71. The information was introduced by way of Pere Ubu’s Fb web page, which famous that Thomas handed away after a “lengthy sickness.”
Thomas shaped Rocket From the Tombs in 1974 in Cleveland. Their first stint was short-lived, solely lasting a couple of yr, however they reunited in 2003 and remained energetic by 2017.
Following the preliminary breakup of Rocket From the Tombs, Thomas shaped Pere Ubu, whereas different members of Rocket From the Tombs went on to type Lifeless Boys. Pere Ubu had been energetic till 1982, after which once more from 1987 till Thomas’ passing.
The assertion on Pere Ubu’s Fb web page reads as follows:
“David Lynn Thomas, lead singer of Pere Ubu, Rocket From The Tombs and a number of solo projex, has died after a protracted sickness.
On Wednesday, April 23 2025, he died in his house city of Brighton & Hove, along with his spouse and youngest step-daughter by his aspect. MC5 had been taking part in on the radio. He’ll in the end be returned to his house, the farm in Pennsylvania, the place he insisted he was to be ‘thrown within the barn.’
David Thomas and his band have been recording a brand new album. He knew it was to be his final. We’ll endeavour to proceed with mixing and finalising the brand new album in order that his final music is on the market to all. Other than that, he left instruction that the work ought to proceed to catalog all of the tapes from dwell reveals by way of the official bandcamp web page. His autobiography was practically accomplished and we’ll end that for him. Pere Ubu’s Patreon will proceed as a group, run by communex.
We’ll go away you along with his personal phrases, which sums up who he was higher than we are able to: ‘My title is David Fucking Thomas… and I’m the lead singer of one of the best fucking rock n roll band on this planet.’ (Frigo Documentary)
Lengthy Dwell Pere Ubu.”
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Pere Ubu’s mixture of post-punk, art-rock, new wave, and even industrial music has had a long-lasting affect on acts like R.E.M., Sonic Youth, Pixies, Sisters of Mercy, and extra.
The band launched its first album, The Trendy Dance, in 1978, and has issued a complete of 18 studio albums in the course of the course of its profession. As famous in Pere Ubu’s assertion above, Thomas and firm had been engaged on a last album that can see the sunshine of day.
Thomas remained the one fixed member of Pere Ubu all through the years, though present bassist Michele Temple and drummer Steve Mehlman have been within the band for roughly 30 years themselves.
Rocket From the Tombs by no means launched an album throughout their preliminary ’70s run, however later launched three LPs throughout their twenty first century reunion, together with 2004’s Rocket Redux, which featured re-recordings of their ’70s materials.
Our condolences exit to David Thomas’ household, associates, and bandmates throughout this troublesome time. Revisit his music with Pere Ubu and Rocket From the Tombs beneath.