Gary Watson, frontman of up-and-coming Scottish band The Lapelles, has died in an accident. He would have turned 22 years old today (August 14).

The East Kilbride band broke the news on their Facebook page this afternoon, writing: “It’s with shock, heavy hearts and sadness that we have to let you know the news that Gary sadly passed away this morning as a result of injuries sustained in a tragic accident last night. Today was his 22nd birthday. We are lost for words and struggling to process such a tragedy.”

According to The Scottish Sun, Watson is believed to have died after falling in the River Clyde, though this has yet to be confirmed by the band.


“Gary was a creative force, a man who without his vision this band wouldn’t exist,” the band said in their Facebook statement. “We have lost a friend, a brother, a hero. At the moment it doesn’t seem real. We send our deepest condolences to Gary’s family and would appreciate your respect in allowing them & us some peace whilst we grieve.”

NME featured The Lapelles’ track ‘Grab Life By’ as our “New Music of the Day” in May of this year, writing at the time that the track “possesses the youthful swagger of Catfish And The Bottlemen, but has more in common with the spirited indie-pop bangers of The Vaccines. Put simply – it’s massive”.

The Lapelles had recently opened for both The Last Shadow Puppets and The View. Franz Ferdinand paid tribute to Watson on Twitter this afternoon, calling the late frontman a “lovely, talented man”.

We're so sad to hear of the tragic passing of @TheLapelles Gary Watson, a lovely, talented man. Thoughts are with his family, friends & band — Franz Ferdinand (@Franz_Ferdinand) August 14, 2016 Advertisement