Tragic loss for rock ‘n’ roll: The Splatterheads bassist Peter Thompson passes away
It’s a sad day for rock-n-roll music lovers. We regret to report that Peter Thompson, the bassist of the hugely popular '90s hard rock band The Splatterheads, has passed away.
The Splatterheads were fondly known for their high-energy performances and quirky stage presence. They were active powerhouses on the Australian pub rock scene, driving crowds wild with their 'fast and loud heavy rock style’.
Tinged with an element of the bizarre, fans eagerly awaited their theatrical makeup displays involving grotesque, fake injuries, from blood-drenched head wounds to severed limbs.
Sadly, on Sunday, the rock community received the news that the talented bassist, better known to many as 'PT’, had left the stage for the last time.
The news was shared on social media. Although details surrounding Thompson's death have yet to be formally released, a family friend revealed he was residing in Maleny, Queensland, at the time of his passing.
The world of hard rock reverberated with heartfelt tributes to the iconic bassist. Fellow Aussie rockers, Suiciety voiced their grief, posting, 'Bit of sad news...Peter Thompson, aka PT from our mates Splatterheads, has passed away.'
Another 90s band, Bored, expressed, 'Sending our love to The Splatterheads family and friends on the loss of PT. He will be dearly missed and always remembered. Play [your] Splatterheads tunes Loud and Proud! Vale PT.'
A family friend posted a photo of the late musician with the caption, ‘Here’s the smile of Peter Thompson, who sadly died in Maleny this week.’
Fans also mourned Thompson’s loss, with one writing, ‘Such an important person in making the sound of The Splatterheads. This band was one of the bands that turned everything on its head with me and my mates. Couldn’t tell you how many times we went to see them…Love to PT’s family and friends and all in the Splatterhead family.’
‘Sorry to hear.. oh man, what a legacy of music he has left us with,’ another fan commented on social media.
‘Sad news, be blasting “Fish Biscuit” for breakfast,’ a third fan said.
Decades ago, Thompson, together with band members Adrian Carroll, Christo Fletcher, and Sly Faulkner, ignited their passion for music in a shared Brisbane house. That house, filled with loud chords, heavy beats, and roaring vocals, soon birthed The Lompoc County Splatterheads.
In 1987, they took Sydney by storm with their debut performances, eventually streamlining their band name to The Splatterheads—a name that would resonate in rock venues overseas.
Despite not making waves on the mainstream music charts, the Splatterheads carved an indelible mark on Australian rock history through their relentless passion and uncompromising sound.
Their fervour led them on a jam-packed European tour in 1995, the success of which led them to open for the hugely successful rock band Weezer.
Their creative genius went beyond energetic live performances and stretched into successful recordings. Fans fondly remember the Splatterheads' hits like the ever-animated 'Fish Biscuit' and the raw, emotive 'Tired', alongside their much-celebrated album, Bot.
You can listen to ‘Fish Biscuit’ here:
We join the Australian music community in mourning this significant loss. Here at SDC, we encourage those grieving to turn up their speakers and blast their favourite The Splatterheads tracks in memory of PT. May he rest in peace.
The Splatterheads were fondly known for their high-energy performances and quirky stage presence. They were active powerhouses on the Australian pub rock scene, driving crowds wild with their 'fast and loud heavy rock style’.
Tinged with an element of the bizarre, fans eagerly awaited their theatrical makeup displays involving grotesque, fake injuries, from blood-drenched head wounds to severed limbs.
Sadly, on Sunday, the rock community received the news that the talented bassist, better known to many as 'PT’, had left the stage for the last time.
The news was shared on social media. Although details surrounding Thompson's death have yet to be formally released, a family friend revealed he was residing in Maleny, Queensland, at the time of his passing.
The world of hard rock reverberated with heartfelt tributes to the iconic bassist. Fellow Aussie rockers, Suiciety voiced their grief, posting, 'Bit of sad news...Peter Thompson, aka PT from our mates Splatterheads, has passed away.'
Another 90s band, Bored, expressed, 'Sending our love to The Splatterheads family and friends on the loss of PT. He will be dearly missed and always remembered. Play [your] Splatterheads tunes Loud and Proud! Vale PT.'
A family friend posted a photo of the late musician with the caption, ‘Here’s the smile of Peter Thompson, who sadly died in Maleny this week.’
Fans also mourned Thompson’s loss, with one writing, ‘Such an important person in making the sound of The Splatterheads. This band was one of the bands that turned everything on its head with me and my mates. Couldn’t tell you how many times we went to see them…Love to PT’s family and friends and all in the Splatterhead family.’
‘Sorry to hear.. oh man, what a legacy of music he has left us with,’ another fan commented on social media.
‘Sad news, be blasting “Fish Biscuit” for breakfast,’ a third fan said.
Decades ago, Thompson, together with band members Adrian Carroll, Christo Fletcher, and Sly Faulkner, ignited their passion for music in a shared Brisbane house. That house, filled with loud chords, heavy beats, and roaring vocals, soon birthed The Lompoc County Splatterheads.
In 1987, they took Sydney by storm with their debut performances, eventually streamlining their band name to The Splatterheads—a name that would resonate in rock venues overseas.
Despite not making waves on the mainstream music charts, the Splatterheads carved an indelible mark on Australian rock history through their relentless passion and uncompromising sound.
Their fervour led them on a jam-packed European tour in 1995, the success of which led them to open for the hugely successful rock band Weezer.
Their creative genius went beyond energetic live performances and stretched into successful recordings. Fans fondly remember the Splatterheads' hits like the ever-animated 'Fish Biscuit' and the raw, emotive 'Tired', alongside their much-celebrated album, Bot.
You can listen to ‘Fish Biscuit’ here:
Key Takeaways
- Peter Thompson, bassist for the popular Australian hard rock band The Splatterheads, has passed away.
- The Splatterheads were known for their fast and loud heavy rock style, bizarre, gory makeup, and a loyal pub scene following.
- Other bands from the ‘90s, including Suiciety and Bored, have paid tribute to Thompson on their social media.
- Despite not achieving significant chart success, The Splatterheads toured extensively, including a packed European tour in 1995 and opening for the band Weezer.
We join the Australian music community in mourning this significant loss. Here at SDC, we encourage those grieving to turn up their speakers and blast their favourite The Splatterheads tracks in memory of PT. May he rest in peace.