Tribute articles are, by far, the hardest to write. Not just because they are written with a heavy heart, but because I find that words can never really do people enough justice. I struggle to find the words to articulate how big of a loss this is for music. After just losing a promising band six months ago (Viola Beach), I'm in disbelief that I have to say goodbye again to yet another young, extremely talented musician that was just beginning to find success.
The Lapelles are a young indie rock band from Glasgow, Scotland. They were easily one of my favorite new bands of the year and they were part of a rock music scene in Glasgow that has been consistently churning out great new bands like Baby Strange, Catholic Action and many others. They only released a few songs to date, but I've been playing their songs "Seventeen", "She Would", "Snakehips" and brand new single, "Grab Life By", constantly for several months. Their energetic, summer-soaked indie rock sound had scored the young band support slots with many big bands like The Last Shadow Puppets, Blossoms, The View, The Kooks and The Jesus And Mary Chain. This year, they also managed to play Scotland's famous music festival, T in the Park, from which they received rave reviews.
Last Sunday, the band posted a statement on their Facebook page (pictured below) that the band's lead singer and guitarist, Gary Watson, had passed away from injuries in an accident from the previous night. Gary died on what would've been his 22nd birthday. I was absolutely crushed. The Lapelles were definitely towards to top of my list of bands that I was looking forward to seeing live. When I read the band's statement, I was utterly shocked and saddened.
Not to take anything away from the talent of the other members of the band, but Gary was such a special talent. It usually takes me several listens before I properly get into a new band, but when I heard "Snakehips", I was utterly blown away. Gary was just a ray of light that brought such enthusiasm and energy to the band, which made their music so infectious. By the time the band released their latest track, "Grab Life By", it was clear that they had totally found their stride and at this point, I knew there was something special about them and that I was hooked.
After hearing of Gary's death, I found a video of Gary playing a solo, acoustic cover of LCD Soundsystem's "Someone Great" and I was just at a loss for words. When he sang and repeated the words, "when someone great is gone", there were chills that raced up and down my spine and I got goosebumps all over my arms. It was clear to me at that point that someone great is gone and his name is Gary Watson. I've rarely ever been this gripped by a solo performance from a musician before.
On Thursday, August 18, there was a tribute concert to celebrate Watson's life with all proceeds going to his family. There were performances from fellow Glasgow musicians: Baby Strange, White, Declan Welsh and The Rockalls. There is also a crowdfunding page that was started for anyone who wants to donate to the family or for anyone who couldn't make the concert. I encourage everyone to donate, even if you've never heard the band's music until today or even if you never knew Gary personally.
Tributes poured in from around the music world to show their support for The Lapelles. Bands like Franz Ferdinand, Circa Waves, The Kooks, The Jesus And Mary Chain, Blossoms, Baby Strange, The Amazons, The Strypes, Neon Waltz, Vant, The Vryll Society, The Sherlocks, Sunset Sons, and more showed their support for the band on Twitter.
I don't know whether the band has any intention of carrying on after this tragedy and I'm sure that this thought hasn't crossed any of their minds yet (and for good reason), but I hope we get to hear some of the material that the band had been working on in the studio. However, if the band decides not to continue or not to release any more music, this won't have any negative effect whatsoever on the band's legacy. The Lapelles were and always will be an amazing and talented band. I'll continue to listen to their music no matter what happens in the future.
Gary Watson was one of those once in a lifetime musicians that, without a doubt, would've gone on to so many great things. Though I never knew him personally, after watching and reading many interviews with him, he seemed like such a happy, funny guy with an absolute passion for his bandmates and the music they were making. Watson was definitely a one-of-a-kind talent with a voice that will never be forgotten. The world will never forget his contributions to music or the happiness that he brought to anyone who ever saw the band live or ever listened to The Lapelles. My thoughts are with all of Gary's family and friends.
'Mon the f****** Lapelles. RIP Gary Watson.
