Martin Phillips, singer-guitarist and founder of New Zealand jungle-pop band Chills, has died. The band's official social media accounts shared the news today, stating, “It is with broken hearts that the family and friends of Martin Phillips wish to inform that Martin has passed away unexpectedly. The family requests privacy at this time.” Phillips was 61 years old.
The cause of death was not shared in the statement, but in the 2019 documentary The Chills: The Triumph & Tragedy of Martin Phillipsit was revealed that the late musician suffered liver failure after a life-threatening bout with hepatitis C in the 1990s. Phillipps battled liver disease for several years afterward, he confirms RNZ.
The Chills were respected for their sharp and quirky take on jangle pop and indie rock that regularly sounded effortless in practice. As the main songwriter, singer and guitarist, Phillipps was behind much of the band's success, including three Top 10 albums in the New Zealand local charts. The band gained international fame with “Heavenly Pop Hit”, the Chills' biggest song to date and a key single since the 1990s Submarine Bellswhich topped the radio charts in the US, UK and Australia in addition to New Zealand.
Phillipps formed the Chills in 1980 in Dunedin, New Zealand when he was just 17 years old. From the jump, the Chills underwent regular breakups and line-up changes throughout their existence, with the exception of Phillipps, who remained the primary songwriter and only constant member. Notable former band members include Clean's Peter Gutteridge and David Kilgour, The Verlaines' Jane Dodd, Luna's Justin Harwood and Phillipps' own sister, Rachel Phillipps.
A staple of Flying Nun Records, the Chills helped define the label's sound—as well as theirs—with an unforgettable string of records that became cult favorites beginning in 1982. Dunedin Double ER1985 The Lost EP1986 compilation album Kaleidoscope Worldand their debut LP in 1987 Brave words. The strength of singles like “Pink Frost” and “I Love My Leather Jacket” caught the attention of major labels and eventually lured the Chills to a deal with Warner Bros. imprint Slash Records. After release Submarine Bells and Soft bombthe Chills disbanded in 1992 and Phillipps joined Kilgour in his 1960s cover band, the Pop Art Toasters.
After reviving two years later, the Chills reunited in Flying Nun to release their 1996 album Sunburnt, to part once more. Phillipps has been busy with other bands and side jobs, including his solo album of demos Sketchbook: Volume One, before choosing the moniker and putting together a new line-up. The Chills went on to record it Stand by EP in 2004 and three more albums over a decade later: 2015's Silver bulletsof 2018 Snow Boundand 2021 Scorpio.
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