Underground Lovers Drummer Richard Andrew Passes Away, Aged 58

Richard Andrew, drummer of the beloved Australian indie rock band Underground Lovers, has passed away. He was 58 years old.

The sad news was confirmed on Andrew’s personal social media account, as well as the band.

In a statement, Andrew’s family wrote that he passed away with his wife, Nicolette, by his side. They added that his death, as he was in life, was “epic.”

“Our beautiful Richard John Andrew died at around 5.25am, this morning,” the post reads. “His death, as he was in life, was epic. He left this world, face to face with his wife, Nicolette, as she sang their song ‘Do You Realise’ by The Flaming Lips. We are all heartbroken though relieve that our sweet prince is finally free

“Richard John Andrew

“16/08/1966 - 30/10/2024.”

In a post of their own, Underground Lovers expressed “profound sadness” to share the devastating news of their dear friend and longtime drummer’s passing.

“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our charming beautiful force of nature Richard John Andrew,” the band wrote. “We are numb with grief and sadness. He passed peacefully in his sleep at home this morning with his wife Nicolette at his side. We ask for privacy during this difficult time.”

Andrew passed away just a week after informing fans that he’d been diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic lung cancer. He also revealed that he and Nicolette had gotten married.

In the post, Andrew didn’t forget to have a sense of humour despite the darkness of cancer. He shared that a month ago, he was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic lung cancer, which he described as a “billy card ride down shit street for the last little while.”

Telling followers that he was in excellent spirits and surrounded by love, Andrew expressed an “immense amount of gratitude” to his loved ones and the “fantastic life” he managed to live.

“I am completely reconciled to whatever the future is, however, that future is probably quite limited and I'm in the process of preparing to pop this mortal coil and return to the trees, as it were,” Andrew’s post continued. “I cannot overstate enough what an honour and a privilege it has been to know you all over the last 58 years, and to have lived the most incredible, incredible life.

“I've often been thinking lately that the way you die reflect the way you've lived and I have just had the most amazing life. I will desperately miss you all, especially the beautiful and incredible Nikki. I can only say once again for having the privilege of having known you all and to have been lucky enough to include you in my life as a friend, as a musician, or however you've been part of my life.

“It's been a wild ride and thank you so much for sharing it with me. I will miss you all, desperately, and I love you all to bits!”

Richard Andrew joined Underground Lovers in the early days and was a band member from 1990 until 1994 before rejoining the group when they reunited in 2009.

Earlier this year, Underground Lovers celebrated the 30th anniversary of Dream It Down with tour dates in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. In February 2025, they’re set to tour with Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark (OMD) across the country.