Pale Saints guitarist Graeme Naysmith has died, age 57

April 17, 2024

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Graeme Naysmith – the guitarist of British alternative rock/shoegaze band Pale Saints has died at the age of 57.

The passing of the musician was announced in a post on Facebook by his more recent project the X-Ray Eyes. They shared that Naysmith passed away earlier this month on April 4. No cause of death has been revealed.

“We’re devastated to say that our guitarist and friend Jock (Graeme) Naysmith died recently,” began the statement posted. “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.”

Naysmith co-founded Pale Saints alongside singer-bassist Ian Masters and drummer Chris Cooper in Leeds and played a vital role within Pale Saints’ sound. They blended together Masters’ shoegazy vocals with noisy indie-pop.

Pale Saints signed to 4AD records and released 1990’s ‘The Comforts of Madness’ and 1992’s ‘In Ribbons’, which are some of the best albums of 4AD’s original era. Their cover of Nancy Sinatra’s ‘Kinky Love’ featuring original Lush vocalist Meriel Barham, who joined Pale Saints in 1990 became a minor hit.

In a statement shared on the 4AD website, label founder Ivo Watts-Russell shared: “I’ve always been extremely fond of Graeme’s guitar playing. He was one of only a handful of musicians I worked with who wasn’t afraid of a good guitar solo.”

He continued: “In tribute I simply recommend digging out, or clicking on some horrible streaming service, ‘Henry’ from Pale Saints’ final album Slow Buildings. When I first heard the sad news, I blew the cobwebs away, shed a few tears of pleasure and sorrow, and felt grateful for the experience. Goes without saying… play it loud! I can only imagine the deep sorrow felt by his ex-bandmates, especially Chris, who obviously knew the man far better than I.”

Check out fan tributes below:

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Very sorry to hear Pale Saints guitarist and founder member Graeme Naysmith has passed away

Their music exemplified the many sides of what came to be known as shoegaze and they’re also one of the few bands from that era who never reformed

Rest in peacehttps://t.co/TXXXSdrKBM

— Dom Gourlay (@domlikesrabbits) April 16, 2024

Graeme Naysmith, guitar work masterpiece. goodnight and goodbye????https://t.co/9x6ccueSZ7

— Abidzan (@facingproblem) April 17, 2024

Graeme Naysmith: What a guitarist.

Immortal through our speakers and headphones.https://t.co/ndYU4Gw1Xg

— Much to Cover (@MuchToCover) April 17, 2024

It’s a fantastic song.
Pale Saints were brilliant and you should listen to them.
RIP Graeme Naysmith. https://t.co/w1H1PpLmn2

— Phil Harrison (@MrPMHarrison) April 17, 2024

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