The Muffs’ singer, guitarist and former Pixies bassist Kim Shattuck, has died after a two-year-long battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). She was 56.

Shattuck’s husband, Kevin Sutherland, confirmed the news on his private Instagram account on Wednesday (October 2), Rolling Stone reports. “This morning, the love of my life passed peacefully in her sleep after a two-year struggle with ALS,” Sutherland wrote. “I am the man I am today because of her. She will live with all of us through her music, our shared memories and in her fierce, creative spirit.”

Melanie Vammen, Shattuck’s longtime collaborator and former bandmate in The Muffs and the Pandoras, shared Sutherland’s post, adding that her “heart is forever broken” by the news.


Ronnie Barnett and Roy McDonald from The Muffs also paid tribute to Shattuck, describing the singer as a “dear friend” and “brilliant songwriter”.

“Kim was a true force of nature,” they wrote in a Facebook statement. “While battling ALS Kim produced our last album, overseeing every part of the record from tracking to artwork. She was our best friend and playing her songs was an honor. Goodbye Kimba.”

The Pixies also said they were “devastated” by Kim’s passing. “She was a genuine musician, writer and performer who committed her life for the cause,” they wrote on Twitter.

“She brought all of her life force to her endeavors and we are fortunate for her sharing some of that life force with us. RIP.”

The Muffs were due to deliver a new album later this month. ‘No Holiday’, their first new album in five years, was scheduled for release October 18.


We are very sorry to announce the passing of our bandmate and dear friend Kim Shattuck. Besides being a brilliant… Posted by The Muffs on Wednesday, October 2, 2019

We are devastated about Kim's passing. She was a genuine musician, writer and performer who committed her life for the cause. She brought all of her life force to her endeavors and we are fortunate for her sharing some of that life force with us. RIP. pic.twitter.com/iTBagHViah — PIXIES (@PIXIES) October 3, 2019

Shattuck began her music career as a member of The Pandoras before she left the group in 1990 to form The Muffs a year later with Pandoras bandmate Vammen. The Muffs released their self-titled debut album in 1993, and later went on hiatus after releasing their 2004 LP ‘Really Really Happy’. They reunited in 2014 for their sixth studio album, ‘Whoop Dee Doo’.

Besides from fronting The Muffs, Shattuck was also a member of The Beards and The Coolies. In 2013, she had a brief stint as the Pixies’ bassist, joining the group for their European tour following Kim Deal’s exit. She parted ways with the band in November 2013.

Following news of Shattuck’s death, musicians and fans have taken to social media to pay tribute, including Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong, who called Shattuck “one of my favourite songwriters”.

“When [Green Day] recorded ‘Dookie’ we listened to the first Muffs record constantly. We will hear that rock n roll scream from heaven,” Armstrong wrote on Instagram.

Read other tributes to Shattuck below.

Beyond speechless right now with this news. Kim, thank you for being our big sister in the scene, for always supporting our art, for singing on our records and playing shows together. Total heartbreak with this news ?? Everyone, play your Muffs records tonight.#kimshattuck pic.twitter.com/E056m5IHvT — The Dollyrots (@TheDollyrots) October 2, 2019

Heartbroken about Kim. One of the all time greats. How could anyone be such a brilliant pop songwriter, singer, screamer, and such a total punk-rock badass, and be so insanely cute at the same time? No one funnier or cooler. We love you, Kim ???#kimshattuck #RIPKimShattuck pic.twitter.com/rD8fsARpV7 — Veruca Salt (@verucasalt) October 3, 2019

RIP Kim Shattuck. I went to a Muffs show at Tower records in Woodland Hills when I was a wee thing. I got to meet her at the Toys r Us next door. I was over the moon. I still am. So sad…_b #KimShattuck — Silversun Pickups (@SSPU) October 3, 2019

Kim Shattuck was the person I knew was cooler than I could ever be. Her riffs and melodies and style and substance. I'm so sad she is no longer with us. Listen to The Muffs. Listen to The Pandoras. — Molly Neuman (@mollydneuman) October 2, 2019

Absolutely gutted to hear that Kim Shattuck has passed after a battle with ALS. Immensely talented, inspirational, ferocious and sweet whether with the Pandoras, Muffs, Pixies or Coolies. An absolute icon. pic.twitter.com/Reu9QuAJ6S — 1-2-3-4 Go! Records (@1234gorecords) October 2, 2019