Goodbye Rocky: Gary Dwyer dies aged 66

This morning came the news that another stalwart of the British post-punk scene has died. Gary Dwyer wasn't front and centre, but he was the beating heart of the Teardrop Explodes, one of Liverpool's great bands, albeit who only graced our world for a few years before inevitable implosion.

Dwyer was a well known figure on the burgeoning music scene of later 70s Liverpool, centred around the legendary Eric's Club (on Victoria Street and then on the more illustrious Matthew Street). The punk wave had exploded and fractured into many different sub-genres and bands, many of whom barely lasted a gig or three.

When art school implant, Julian Cope, suggested they form a band called the Teardrop Explodes (taken from a strip in Marvel's Daredevil, issue 77), Dwyer replied, "that's a weird one you've got there Jules." But regardless, it was tempting enough for him to practice the drums and join up.

It was a glorious, messy few years, with frequent line-up changes, with Dwyer and Cope being about the only two that made it through from start to finish. Cope always noted Dwyer's distinctive reggae / soul groove, giving the band a bouncy feel (and with a bass drum nicknamed Bumhead!).

Teardrop Explodes, with Dwyer on the right

By the time they were preparing for album number three, things were getting fraught. Cope wanted to make quirky pop records, the returning keyboard player (and future founder of Zoo and Food record labels) David Balfe wanted synth pop. He often locked Cope and Dwyer out of the studio they were working in at Rockfield in rural Montgomeryshire. With tensions often boiling over, it was even rumoured that an irate

Dwyer once chased Balfe across the local hills carrying a loaded shotgun!

Bouncing Babies (audio only - exemplifying that bouncy Teardrop's sound - perhaps their, and Dwyer's, finest moment)

Unsurprisingly, album three never happened, but Dwyer was on hand to drum on Cope's first solo album, 1984s World Shut Your Mouth, and would also have stints in a few other bands, including Terry Hall's The Colour Field.

Fast forward to this morning, and David Balfe's Facebook post:

"It is with enormous sadness that I must pass on the news that my wonderful friend of nearly fifty years, Gary Dwyer, Teardrop Explodes drummer and very special man, passed away last night. He'd been fighting leukaemia for nearly two years... I could write about his extraordinary personality and sense of humour, but I'm too sad to do so now."

Sleeping Gas (audio only - some great, tense, staccato post-punk playing, perfectly underscoring the slightly eerie, gothic keyboards)

The wonderful world of Liverpool music has been chipping in with their condolences and memories. The Farm issued a message saying he was "one of the good guys." Former Icicle Work and singer-songwriter, Ian McNabb, said; "Fare thee well to my lovely mate Gary Dwyer... Whenever I think of you I will smile."

Ann Nazaro of northwest based podcast, Ask The Drummer, said that "Gary Dwyer was a drumming legend", while Liverpool legends OMD remembered him as, "the drum colossus of the Teardrop Explodes and one of the original Eric's regulars."

Perhaps we'll leave the last words for Julian Cope and his memories, in his own inimitable style. RIP Gary Dwyer

Brothers 'n' Sisters

Gary Dwyer, a.k.a. Rocky Dwyer, a.k.a. Buff Manilla, most esteemed drummer of the Teardrop Explodes and beloved and notorious son of Eric's club, has this day quit the planet. May his position in the next world be as auspicious as this one. For his drumming ignited the Liverpool post-punk scene fuelling always the Teardrop Explodes with his thrilling and unorthodox skank - and all the while performing as though on a Fellini film set. So long to dear Buff Manilla, a.k.a. Jimmy Luxembourg, a.k.a. Sam Uruguay - you dared us to leave our safe weird enclave. Eternal thanks, my dear departed brother.

Julian

Reward (live on Old Grey Whistle Test, 1981 - such fantastic propulsion and fills for what would become a staple of 80s great tunes)