January 11, 2010 12:01

The Horrors, HTRK pay tribute to Birthday Party's Rowland S Howard

Guitarist passed away late last year

Photo Gallery: The Horrors
Photo: Pa Photos

The Horrors' Faris Badwan has paid tribute to The Birthday Party guitarist Roland S Howard, who died on December 30.

The influential guitarist, who played with Nick Cave in the Australian rockers, died of liver cancer.

Badwan told NME.COM that Howard was "hugely influential and charismatic". He added that "Rowland deserves every inch as much recognition as Nick Cave for his contribution to music. [1999 solo album] 'Teenage Snuff Film' holds its own against any of the Bad Seeds' material".

Jonnine Standish of Melbourne band HTRK – whose 2009 album 'Marry Me Tonight' was produced by Howard – also paid tribute to the late guitarist.

"There is mischief and heartbreak in all of his moves and in the sounds that he makes," he told NME.COM, "but I loved Rowland's voice the most. His songs tear me up inside like that of Nina Simone. He was magical looking when the lighting was good or bad. He was as curious as a cat if he liked you, wow, he made you feel so warm, like a full tank of petrol. He has given me an extra smirk.

"We got to work on a duet together '(I Know) A Girl Called Jonny' in early 2008. He thought our voices would compliment each other and we both share the same humour in twisting pop music on its head.

"We met for coffee at his favourite cafe in St Kilda, Melbourne. This is where Rowland first told me the line, 'She's my narcotic lollypop', which he was thrilled about, and then told me that I would sing, 'I put my fingers in his mouth'.

"I tried not to blush too much. He had that cute Rowland smirk with the one eyebrow lifted. It's amazing to have this fantastic song together that will outlast both of us. Thank you Rowly."

Rowland released his last solo album, 'Pop Crimes', in October last year.

Watch a 1999 performance and interview by Howard by clicking below.

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