'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUI/8QAFAEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAP/aAAwDAQACEAMQAAAAzrDD/8QAHxAAAgIBBAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIDBAAFBhMiMUFh/9oACAEBAAE/ANLaqm37kU0aPZtyKiHiBaNU7Flf0SSB9GAEjzn/xAAUEQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA/9oACAECAQE/AH//xAAUEQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA/9oACAEDAQE/AH//2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
David Thomas, the pioneering frontman of the avant-garde rock band Pere Ubu, passed away on April 23, 2025, at the age of 71. Through his unconventional vocal delivery and unique stage presence, he developed a lasting impact that transformed post-punk and experimental rock music for succeeding generations.
His family representatives declared through a public statement that Thomas died at his home in Brighton & Hove, England, when complications arose from his prolonged kidney disease. He received regular dialysis, yet he maintained his work on musical compositions and written works before his death.
The social media page of Pere Ubu announced his passing:
“..he died in his home town of Brighton & Hove, with his wife and youngest step-daughter by his side. MC5 were playing on the radio. He will ultimately be returned to his [family] home, the farm in Pennsylvania, where he insisted he was to be ‘thrown in the barn’. ”
Trending
David Thomas launched Pere Ubu in 1975 after Rocket From the Tombs disbanded. Through his fascination with the French absurdist play Ubu Roi by Alfred Jarry, David Thomas came up with Pere Ubu. Pere Ubu announced from their first release their commitment to surrealism and satire and the avant-garde artistic movement.
Through his involvement in all Pere Ubu's albums, David Thomas wrote lyrics while designing sound, and he took on the roles of producer or assistant producer for many of their records. His leadership guided the making of several important albums, which include The Modern Dance (1978), Dub Housing (1978), New Picnic Time (1979), and Cloudland (1989).
The legacy of David Thomas and Pere Ubu
Born in Miami in 1953 and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Thomas began his musical career with the proto-punk band Rocket From the Tombs in 1974. He created Pere Ubu along with other members in 1975 after Rocket From the Tombs stopped performing. Pere Ubu entered the experimental rock sphere with their debut single, 30 Seconds Over Tokyo, in December 1975.
Pere Ubu released The Modern Dance in 1978 as their debut full-length album, which stands as an essential record in post-punk history. Over the years, Pere Ubu delivered 14 albums while Thomas maintained his role as a founding member alongside various musicians.
The group was initially formed in 1975 with David Thomas, Peter Laughner, Tom Herman, Tim Wright, Scott Krauss, and Allen Ravenstine. Tony Maimone joined the band after Wright left to join DNA. Pere Ubu disbanded briefly in 1979 but got back together with a change in lineup—Herman left and was replaced by Mayo Thompson.
Pere Ubu disbanded again in 1982 but not before releasing what was considered their final album, Song of the Bailing Man. They staged a comeback in 1987 and recorded The Tenement Year in 1988. Pere Ubu continued to see changes in their lineup over the years, with Thomas remaining the only original member. Their last full-length album was Trouble on Big Beat Street, released in 2023.
Thomas engaged in multiple side projects throughout his career, which included performing What Will We Do With a Drunken Sailor during Rogue’s Gallery's pirate song concert series alongside Sting, Lou Reed, and Nick Cave (2006) and starring in a 2002 West End production of “junk opera” Shockheaded Peter.
Pere Ubu wrote on their official Facebook page following Thomas's death on April 23, 2025:
"David Thomas and his band have been recording a new album. He knew it was to be his last. We will endeavour to continue with mixing and finalising the new album so that his last music is available to all. His autobiography was nearly completed and we will finish that for him. Pere Ubu’s Patreon will continue as a community, run by communex."
They added:
"We’ll leave you with his own words, which sum up who he was better than we can- My name is David F*cking Thomas… and I’m the lead singer of the best f*cking rock n roll band in the world.” (Frigo Documentary)
As the co-founder and enduring creative driver of Pere Ubu, Thomas reshaped rock boundaries through his avant-garde ideas and punk energy. His last album will be completed after his death, along with an autobiography, while the Patreon community of Pere Ubu will carry on under communex leadership.
