Beloved Los Angeles musician Kim Shattuck passed away on October 2 after a two-year battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). She was 56. Shattuck distinguished herself as a charismatic presence and gifted songwriter in garage-rock badasses the Pandoras (1985-1990) and with power-pop spark plugs the Muffs (off and on from 1991 to 2019). In addition, Shattuck played bass with Pixies after Kim Deal’s departure in 2013 and contributed vocals to songs by pop-punk outfits such as NOFX, Bowling for Soup, and others. In 2019, Shattuck cut a brilliant power-pop album with the Coolies, Uh Oh! It’s… The Coolies, all of whose profits go to the ALS Association Golden West Chapter.
Shattuck’s tart, sometimes larynx-shredding vocals, pugnacious lyrics, and knack for instantly memorable hooks with the Muffs made her one of the most beloved figures in rock. Her songs did their infectious damage with concision and verve. Check out the Muffs’ 1992 Sub Pop single for exemplary proof. And judging by the outpouring of tributes on Twitter, Facebook, and various online publications, she was a stellar human being, as well.
Kim Shattuck was the person I knew was cooler than I could ever be. Her riffs and melodies and style and substance. I’m so sad she is no longer with us. Listen to The Muffs. Listen to The Pandoras.
— Molly Neuman (@mollydneuman) October 2, 2019
Absolutely gutted to hear that Kim Shattuck has passed after a battle with ALS. Immensely talented, inspirational, ferocious and sweet whether with the Pandoras, Muffs, Pixies or Coolies. An absolute icon. pic.twitter.com/Reu9QuAJ6S
— 1-2-3-4 Go! Records (@1234gorecords) October 2, 2019
Was just remarking over the weekend how Kim has the best scream in the biz. Love The Muffs and was fortunate to see them, still rippin’, a few years back. RIP Kim Shattuck
— Tim Kasher (@timkasher) October 2, 2019
Poignantly, the Muffs recently finished their last album, No Holiday, which comes out October 18 on Omnivore Records. RIP, Kim Shattuck.
