Michael B. Tretow - d. May 20th 2025

I heard unfashionable sounds
of youth - European doggerel.
Now I hear through your ears;
the joy of satin and sunshine,
the anguish of love gone cold,
the rustle of glitter falling on
the dancefloor of your dreams.

Read about Michael B. Tretow here

Barry Fantoni – d. May 20th 2025

So, farewell then E. J. Thribb.
‘So, farewell then’, that was your
catchphrase. Not very catchy,
though Keith’s mum liked it,
as did all your readers, who now
will not know when someone
has died. 

Read about Barry Fantoni here

George Wendt – d. May 20th 2025

What are you having, Norm?
The worst day. Pour me a beer.
What’s the story, Norm?
Man orders beer. Repeat.
What’s going down, Norm?
We are. Six feet under.

Read about George Wendt here

Brian Glanville – d. May 16th 2025

When I had no poetry I learned it
from you; the game expressed
as form and image, its tactical
shifts like the turn of a sonnet,
its canon of artists and artisans
the ink of the pitch and the page.

Read about Brian Glanville here

Junior Byles – d. May 15th 2025

Two roads before you, Rasta:
to the left a twilit path, clouded
by dub and collie weed; right,
the road to consciousness, the
sweet harvest of your own voice.
Whichever you choose, both end here. 

Read about Junior Byles here

Joe Don Baker – d. May 7th 2025

Playing ambiguity is hard;
it helps to have a face like
a side of bacon, a voice to
silence any room, a tough-guy
smile delivering a lethal dose
to anyone within ten yards.

Read about Joe Don Baker here

Mike Peters – d. April 29th 2025

If it’s true that all art is theft
it’s smart to steal from the best:
Strummer’s stance, polemic,
power chords from punk’s cadaver,
hair by Bono, voice by Rod, but
fire, flesh and fight by dragons.

Read about Mike Peters here

Philip Lowrie – d. April 25th 2025

You and I grew up in the rain,
in the conurbation of pathos
and humdrum, you playing your
scenes like they were my own
memories, those old friends
I have learned never to trust.

Read about Philip Lowrie here

***This was the 1000th Otwituary***

Roy Thomas Baker – d. April 12th 2025

Yes, most of life is lo-fi; one take,
no effects, no overdubs, but still,
there are days where everything
sounds like you intended: 48-track,
big sound, no bum notes, producer
saying Great, I think that’s the one.

Read about Roy Thomas Baker here

David Thomas – d. April 23rd 2025

This was how we danced back then:
as if rehearsing the apocalypse,
arms flailing like we didn’t know if this
was punk or bebop, and all serenaded
by a man talking not to us but himself.

Read about David Thomas here