Sad news from the indie rock world: Eddie Watkins, founding drummer for North Carolina noise-pop unit Polvo, has died, according to the group's label, Merge Records.
The conditions surrounding the death of the musician have yet to be revealed in full, but news of Watkins' passing started to make the rounds over social media last night (April 24). Since then, Merge owner and Superchunk frontman Mac McCaughan has confirmed the death.
"Stunned and saddened to hear of Eddie Watkins' passing," McCaughan wrote in a statement. "It took a unique drummer to make those Polvo records & they are some of my favorite records, period. Classics. Sweet guy to be with on tour and in the studio. Our thoughts are with his family and friends."
Watkins had formed the Chapel Hill, NC-based Polvo in 1990 with guitarists Ash Bowie and Dave Brylawski, and bassist Steve Popson. The group would issue 7-inches through Kitchen Puff and Rockville before hooking up with Merge. Following 1992's Cor-Crane Secret and 1994's Today's Active Lifestyles, they moved to Touch and Go for 1996's Exploded Drawings.
Shortly after the release of the band's third album, Watkins left the project to focus on his family and outside career. Polvo would disband in 1998, but regroup in 2008 without Watkins.
Below, you'll find a video for Polvo's Watkins-manned "Tragic Carpet Ride," from their Merge-released Celebrate the New Dark Age EP.
The conditions surrounding the death of the musician have yet to be revealed in full, but news of Watkins' passing started to make the rounds over social media last night (April 24). Since then, Merge owner and Superchunk frontman Mac McCaughan has confirmed the death.
"Stunned and saddened to hear of Eddie Watkins' passing," McCaughan wrote in a statement. "It took a unique drummer to make those Polvo records & they are some of my favorite records, period. Classics. Sweet guy to be with on tour and in the studio. Our thoughts are with his family and friends."
Watkins had formed the Chapel Hill, NC-based Polvo in 1990 with guitarists Ash Bowie and Dave Brylawski, and bassist Steve Popson. The group would issue 7-inches through Kitchen Puff and Rockville before hooking up with Merge. Following 1992's Cor-Crane Secret and 1994's Today's Active Lifestyles, they moved to Touch and Go for 1996's Exploded Drawings.
Shortly after the release of the band's third album, Watkins left the project to focus on his family and outside career. Polvo would disband in 1998, but regroup in 2008 without Watkins.
Below, you'll find a video for Polvo's Watkins-manned "Tragic Carpet Ride," from their Merge-released Celebrate the New Dark Age EP.