Mitte der Neunziger war David Reilly mit seiner Band God Lives Underwater und dem – auf Rick Rubins American Recordings-Label erschienenen – Debütalbum “Empty”, das durch die damalig progressive Kombination von Elektronik und Alternative-Rock auf sich aufmerksam machte, einer breiteren Öffentlichkeit bekannt geworden. Den großen Durchbruch schaffte die Band allerdings nie, auch wenn der Nachfolger “Life in The So-Called Space Age” ihren Bekanntheitsgrad kurzzeitig steigerte – das kürzlich erschienene “Up Off The Floor” bescherte ihnen keine größere Aufmerksamkeit mehr.
Im letzten Jahr hatte Reilly seine erste Solo-EP “Inside” veröffentlicht, ein komplettes Album hätte in Kürze über Sony Music folgen sollen.
Als Sprecher für Corporate Punishment Records, das Label, bei dem Reillys Solo-EP erschienen war, verabschiedet sich Thom Hazaer von dem Musiker:
“I just received the devastating news that my brother and friend, and the first artist signed to Corporate Punishment, David Reilly (who was also the singer and one half of one of the greatest and most underrated bands to ever exist, God Lives Underwater), passed away [Sunday] morning due to complications from longstanding stomach problems. David had his demons just like everyone, and he lived his life the best he could. Yeah, he fucked up, and when he fucked up it was usually big. But I am honored and humbled to have had the chance to work with someone like him, an amazing artist and visionary, who in my eyes will always be one of the most talented people to ever walk the Earth.
We had the amazing pleasure of releasing David’s first and only official solo recording, ‘Inside’, last year, and he had recently signed a deal with Sony to release a new solo record. Unfortunately this will never happen, which might be one of the biggest travesties of all. And although he will remain forever in our hearts, David will be sorely missed by everyone at Corporate Punishment Records.”