Police in Scotland have confirmed the death of Frightened Rabbit singer Scott Hutchison, after his body was discovered following his disappearance on Wednesday.
Frightened Rabbit's Scott Hutchison: a songwriter who found humanity in our flaws Read more
Police made the discovery at Port Edgar near South Queensferry in Edinburgh at 8.30pm on Thursday, with Hutchison’s family informed. Hutchison, 36, was last seen at 1am on Wednesday, when he left the Dakota hotel in South Queensferry.
The band had posted a message on Twitter asking for anyone with information to contact police, adding: “We are worried about Scott, who has been missing for a little while now. He may be in a fragile state and may not be making the best decisions for himself right now.”
Fans sent messages of support, summed up by Hutchison’s brother and bandmate, Grant, who told Radio X earlier this week: “The support’s been immense … There’s nothing that is so insurmountable that we can’t figure it out together and help you to get better and we’re all here for you and we all love you very much.”
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Scott Hutchison playing with second band Mastersystem on 28 April. Photograph: Danny Payne/Rex/Shutterstock
After hearing of his death, Frightened Rabbit posted a message on Instagram reading: “There are no words to describe the overwhelming sadness and pain that comes with the death of our beloved Scott but to know he is no longer suffering brings us some comfort ... he leaves a legacy of hope, kindness and colour that will forever be remembered and shared.”
Hutchison had addressed mental health difficulties in his songwriting. In an interview published on Noisey last week, he described his mood: “Middling. On a day-to-day basis, I’m a solid six out of 10. I don’t know how often I can hope for much more than that. I’m drawn to negatives in life, and I dwell on them, and they consume me.”
In a 2016 interview, he spoke of experiencing anxiety attacks, and of how affected he was by his emotions: “I’ve always seen that kind of emotional turmoil as an illness. It’s one that lasts for quite a long time and can’t be fixed. You know, you describe it as a ‘hurt’ – why would you describe it as that if it weren’t actually painful? It’s not just mental torment.”
Hutchison formed Frightened Rabbit initially as a solo project in 2003, before Grant joined him to record their debut album in 2006. The band expanded to a five-piece, and amassed a loyal following for their soul-baring, emotionally rich songwriting, including Aaron Dessner of US band the National who produced their most recent album, 2016’s Painting of a Panic Attack – Dessner said he was “devastated”, and called Hutchison “a dear soul and a brilliant songwriter”.
Robert Smith of the Cure had invited them to appear at Meltdown festival, which he is curating in London in June, and the band were also set to support US singer-songwriter Father John Misty in concert in May.
Hutchison had recently completed a tour with the band to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their breakthrough 2008 album, The Midnight Organ Fight, and another with his other band, Mastersystem. He had recently spoken of plans for a sixth Frightened Rabbit album, saying: “I would like for that to be finished by the end of the year.”
Among tributes to the singer, the radio DJ Edith Bowman tweeted: “You ok fella? Sending love and a shoulder if you need it” to Scott after his final messages – wrote on Twitter: “Can’t really believe I’m reading this. Saddest awakening ever. Love and best wishes to all the Hutchison and Frabbit family.”
Stuart Murdoch from Scottish band Belle and Sebastian wrote: “Tragic news about Scott Hutchison. The whole music community in Scotland was praying for a different outcome. Folks, if you are up against it, having dark thoughts, please tell someone, family, a friend or a doctor. There is always another way, though it might not seem like it.” Mogwai’s Stuart Braithwaite said Hutchison was “a lovely, warm talented guy and was loved by so many people”, while Franz Ferdinand’s Alex Kapranos called his death “a terrible loss”.
Scott Hutchison was incredibly shy as a child, so much so that his mum called him a frightened rabbit. It’s a poetically neat phrase on its own, vivid and unmistakably sad – but given Hutchison’s use of it as a band name, it becomes instilled with power and pride. Hutchison’s adoption of the name is an avowal of his timidity, and an affirmation that insecurity and pensiveness don’t need to be character flaws. For insecure and pensive teenagers this was a reassuring idea, and in some ways entirely novel.
Body found in search for Frightened Rabbit singer Scott Hutchison Read more
At first a solo project, Frightened Rabbit formed in 2003 in Selkirk, near the England-Scotland border, but have been based in Glasgow since 2004. After Hutchison’s brother Grant joined, the pair released their debut album, Sing the Greys, in 2006 via the indie label Hits the Fan, before adding guitarist Billy Kennedy and signing to Brighton’s Fat Cat Records. Their second album, The Midnight Organ Fight, came out in 2008 and was a critical hit not just in the UK but in the US, where Pitchfork scored the album an 8.1, and AV Club an A-. In the decade since, the band expanded to five members and released three more studio albums, while Hutchison released a solo album under the name Owl John in 2014 and formed indie supergroup Mastersystem with the Editors’ guitarist Justin Lockey.
Ostensibly, Frightened Rabbit are folk-slanted indie rock, with a fairly conventional band setup of guitars, bass and drums, but Hutchison’s songwriting more closely parallels pop-punk as well as country. Their songs oscillate between chorus-centric anthems such as The Modern Leper and Holy, stripped back slow songs such as Poke, or chant-along ballads in the form of State Hospital and Keep Yourself Warm. Hutchison had a shrewd understanding of song structure and melody, but it’s his lyricism that is so enthralling.
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Scott Hutchison on stage with Frightened Rabbit. Photograph: Amy Muir/Rex/Shutterstock
At a time when British guitar music was typified by a singular and exclusionary caricature of manhood, from the blokey likes of Kaiser Chiefs, Hard-Fi and Kasabian, The Midnight Organ Fight depicted a masculinity that was self-consciously flawed. Here was a voice clumsily yearning for romance and happiness, genuine and self-deprecating but embarrassed, clueless and occasionally cowardly. The Twist captures the excruciating gaucherie and uncertainty of dancing with a stranger you’re interested in; Fast Blood viscerally describes sex with stream-of-consciousness immediacy; while Keep Yourself Warm reneges on the performative lothario Hutchison evokes earlier on the album, finding the intimacy of relationships infinitesimally superior to “getting your hole”, that brilliantly hideous Scottish synonym for casual sex. A classic heartbreak record, Midnight didn’t navigate the travails of young love and lust so much as trip over them and mutter an unnecessary apology.
Frightened Rabbit: 'We've gone back to brutal honesty' Read more
This was a relatable vulnerability for the awkward masses disenfranchised by the stubborn confidence of rock music. In vacillating between contrived irony and frank earnestness, Hutchison was a spokesperson for the twenty- and thirtysomethings who mostly make up Frightened Rabbit’s fanbase. This was an identity we could map ourselves on to, and then feel empowered by the communality.
This mirroring was sustained in subsequent albums, and that old cliche of the audience growing, ageing and changing in time with the artist held true. Although Hutchison wrote about specific politics and relationships – he was, for instance, a vocal supporter of Scottish independence ahead of the 2014 referendum – he unfailingly and surgically captured quirks of thought, character and situation shared by his listeners.
The urgency to escape the relentlessness of everyday life is articulated by Swim Until You Can’t See Land’s couplet: “If I hadn’t come now to the coast to disappear / I may have died in a landslide of rocks and hopes and fears”, while The Wrestle comically but incisively captures the suppressed anxiety of having sex with someone for the first time: “Bare those teeth to me please, man-eater / You can see all of me, naked with fear.” Hutchison’s music touched his fans because he was fundamentally kind and honest, because he humbly extended a hand of solidarity with a wry smile and an open heart.
Hutchison’s struggles with depression were something he also habitually visited in song. Frightened Rabbit’s most recent album, 2016’s Painting of a Panic Attack, was especially intense, with songs such as Woke Up Hurting and 400 Bones conveying a fragile frame of mind. It’s common practice to wax lyrical about music confronting depression, to praise an artist’s candour around their mental illness, and to project a myth that the process of writing, recording and releasing these songs must be purgative for the artist, because it is therapeutic for the listener. The truth, of course, is more upsettingly complicated.
Last month was the 10-year anniversary of The Midnight Organ Fight, and the band celebrated by touring the album in full to sold-out venues across the UK. Midnight’s closing song, Floating in the Forth, details Hutchison visualising taking his own life, before he triumphantly sings: “I think I’ll save suicide for another year.” At every live show, particularly during this last run of shows, this was a line unanimously and cathartically screamed back at him, signalling how supportive the lyric, song, album and man have been to so many. Given the aligning of circumstances, it’s tempting to desperately scramble for meaning or prescience in this, to derive some significance and symbolism from what has happened. But there is no tragic poetry in this death, only tragedy – and the loss of a wonderful songwriter and a better person.
Update: The body has been identified as missing singer Scott Hutchison
Police searching for missing singer Scott Hutchison from indie rock band Frightened Rabbit have found a body.
The 36-year-old frontman was last seen at around 1am on Wednesday morning after leaving the Dakota Hotel in South Queensferry.
Police Scotland discovered a body at Port Edgar near South Queensferry at 8.30pm on Thursday.
Formal identification has yet to take place, but Mr Hutchison's family have been informed.
On Thursday, Hutchison's brothers, Grant and Neil, had said they were "distraught" about his disappearance and appealed for him to get in touch.
The pair spoke about their sibling's fight with depression and how he had helped others by speaking about his condition.
Guitar trio: (from left) Gordon Skene, Scott Hutchison, and Billy Kennedy of Frightened Rabbit on stage this year (Timothy Hiatt/WireImage)
Speaking to Radio X, Grant said: "We've been coping as well as we can really, all the family are together and just supporting each other and doing all we can to try and let Scott know that we are here for him and that we love him.
"We just all feel a little helpless but the support has been incredible.
"It really genuinely does keep us going and keeps us feeling positive about the situation to know that there is that many people out there who care so much about Scott and want us to know that and want him to know that as well.
"If he has access to get online and he has seen any of it then it's important that we keep sharing that to let him know he is loved and that we just want him to come back.”
Hutchison had recently finished a tour with Frightened Rabbit to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their breakthrough 2008 album The MIdnight Organ Fight, and another with his band Mastersystem. He had also spoken about plans to finish the sixth Frightened Rabbit album this year.
He was last active on Twitter at around 11pm on Tuesday, when he wrote: "Be so good to everyone you love. It's not a given. I'm so annoyed that it's not. I didn't live by that standard and it kills me. Please, hug your loved ones."
"I’m away now. Thanks."
The Samaritans can be contacted in the UK on 116 123. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-8255
The body of a man found in the search for Scott Hutchison has been confirmed as the missing Scottish rock star.
Hutchison, who was 36 years old, was best known as the founding member of indie rock band Frightened Rabbit who had a UK number one album in 2016.
Police Scotland discovered the body at Port Edgar near South Queensferry, Scotland, at 8.30pm on Thursday but were initially unable to confirm the identity.
The frontman had last been seen at around 1am on Wednesday (9 May) morning after leaving the Dakota Hotel in South Queensferry.
Hutchison had Tweeted two hours earlier, writing: “Be so good to everyone you love. It’s not a given. I’m so annoyed that it’s not. I didn’t live by that standard and it kills me. Please, hug your loved ones.” In another message he added: “I’m away now. Thanks.”
Frightened Rabbit later appealed to fans to look out for Hutchison, writing on social media: “We are worried about Scott, who has been missing for a little while now. He may be in a fragile state and may not be making the best decisions for himself right now.”
Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures
16 show all Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures
1/16 Verne Troyer The actor died on 21 April, aged 49. Widely known for his role as Mini-Me in Austin Powers, Troyer also appeared in the Harry Potter series. Getty
2/16 Avicii The musician, whose real name is Tim Bergling, died on 20 April, aged 28. A pioneer of EDM, and one of the most successful DJs in the industry, the musician found crossover pop success with his 2011 track ‘Le7els’, which sampled Etta James, going platinum in the US and becoming a number one single internationally Getty Images for Clear Channel
3/16 Winnie Mandela The ANC activist died on 14 April, aged 81. Winnie fought tirelessly against apartheid in South Africa, becoming a figurehead for the movement while her husband Nelson was in prison AFP
4/16 Stephen Hawking The theoretical physicist died at the age of 76, on 14 March. The iconic physicist is known as one of the greatest scientific minds in the history of the world, and worked to peer into the most mysterious parts of the universe. Hawking was known also for the accessible way in which he communicated those discoveries, with his work including A Brief History Of Time making its way into pop culture Getty
5/16 Marielle Franco The politician was brutally murdered in downtown Rio de Janeiro on 14 March, in what officials have concluded was a targeted political assassination. A black LGBT+ woman in a country notoriously dominated by racism, sexism and traditional religious dogma, she was raised in one of Rio’s largest, poorest and most violent slums, the Maré complex AP
6/16 Ken Dodd The comedy legend died aged 90, on 11 March. Sir Ken, famous for his epic stand-up shows which could go on for hours at a time, as well as his Diddy Men and tickling stick, died just days after leaving hospital. Getty
7/16 Hubert de Givenchy The founder of the eponymous French fashion house died aged 91, on 10 March. In an impressive career that spanned more than five decades, Givenchy was renowned for dressing the likes of Jackie Kennedy, the Duchess of Windsor and Audrey Hepburn, his long-time muse Rex
8/16 Davide Astori The footballer died after a cardiac arrest aged 31 on 4 March. He was captain of Fiorentina, and an Italian international with 14 appearances for the national side Getty
9/16 Emma Chambers The British actress, best known for her roles in ‘The Vicar of Dibley’ and ‘Notting Hill’, died aged 53, on 21 February. A statement from her agency said: ‘Emma created a wealth of characters and an immense body of work. She brought laughter and joy to many, and will be greatly missed.’ Rex
10/16 John Mahoney The actor, famous for his role in long-running TV show ‘Frasier’, died at the age of 77, on 4 February. The British-born star was on the show for 11 seasons spanning from 1993 through to 2004 and his character, Martin Crane, is a fan favourite Getty
11/16 Mark E Smith The lead singer and the main artist behind The Fall, died aged 60, on 24 January. Famous for his acerbic wit, Smith was the ever present member in the band, going through over sixty members in the group's fourty year duration
12/16 Hugh Masekela The legendary South African jazz trumpeter and anti-apartheid activist died on 23 January at the age of 78 after suffering from cancer. Masekela, branded the ‘father of South African jazz’, died in Johannesburg after what his family described as a ‘protracted and courageous battle with prostate cancer’. AFP/Getty
13/16 Jimmy Armfield The Blackpool legend and former England captain passed away, aged 82, on 22 January. The right-back played 627 matches for the Lancashire club between 1954 and 1971, and captained England 15 times in 43 appearances. He would later go on to manage Bolton Wanderers and Leeds United, before working as a pundit for the BBC for thirty years Getty
14/16 Ursula Le Guin The celebrated science fiction and fantasy author died at the age of 88, on 22 January. Among the author’s best-known works are the 1969 science fiction novel ‘Left Hand of Darkness’, which explores themes of gender by featuring characters with no fixed sex, and the 1968 coming-of-age story ‘A Wizard of Earthsea’ Getty
15/16 Dolores O’Riordan The singer died on 15 January, aged 46. Born into a staunchly Catholic family, O’Riordan was 17 when she responded to a press advert for a female vocalist to join The Cranberry Saw Us, comprising brothers Noel and Mike Hogan and Fergal Lawler, in 1989. Soon after she became lead singer, they became The Cranberries and cut a three-track EP on an independent label AFP/Getty
16/16 Cyrille Regis The former England footballer died from a heart attack aged 59, on 14 January. The ex-footballer, who scored 112 goals in 297 appearances for West Bromwich Albion, also turned out for Coventry City and Aston Villa in the top flight, as well as playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers, Wycombe Wanderers and Chester City in the later years of his career before retiring in 1996. Regis was a pioneer for black footballers in Britain Getty
Hutchison’s brothers, Grant and Neil, spoke to Radio X on Thursday (10 May) saying they were “distraught” about his disappearance. They went on to detail the singer’s fight with depression and appeal to anyone who could help. The duo also thanked fans for their support on social media.
The band has since released a statement about the death confirmation, saying “there are no words to describe the overwhelming sadness and pain” they felt but “to know know he is no longer suffering brings us some comfort.”
“He will be missed by all of us,” the statement reads, “and his absence will always be felt but he leaves a legacy of hope, kindness and colour that will forever be remembered and shared. Rest peacefully Scott.”
In a statement released on Friday (11 May), Hutchison’s family described the singer as “passionate, articulate and charismatic, as well as being one of the funniest and kindest people we knew” and “wonderful son, brother, uncle and friend”.
They said they were “devastated”, adding that there had been concerns over his mental health but “remained positive and hopeful that he would walk back through the door, having taken some time away to compose himself”.
“Scott, like many artists, wore his heart on his sleeve and that was evident in the lyrics of his music and the content of many of his social media posts,” the statement continues.
“He was passionate, articulate and charismatic, as well as being one of the funniest and kindest people we knew. Friends and family would all agree that he had a brilliant sense of humour and was a great person to be around.”
The family said they were “immensely proud” of Hutchison for speaking publicly about his battle with depression over the years, calling it a “horrendous illness that does not give you any alert or indication as to when it will take hold of you.”
They added: “His willingness to discuss these matters in the public domain undoubtedly raised awareness of mental health issues and gave others confidence and belief to discuss their own issues.”
Nicola Sturgeon – the first minister for Scotland – wrote on Twitter: “Heartbreaking news. My thoughts are with Scott’s family, friends and fans. A remarkable and much loved talent.”
Hutchison began performing under the name Frightened Rabbit in 2003, later joined by brother Grant on drums in 2004, and bassist Billy Kennedy in 2005. The trio found fame with their second record, The Midnight Organ Fight, receiving overwhelmingly positive reviews, Hutchinson’s raw lyrics garnering praise.
The band released five albums in total, 2016’s Painting of a Panic Attack reaching number one on the UK album charts. They had recently finished a tour to celebrate the 10th anniversary of The Midnight Organ Fight. Frightened Rabbit were due to play Robert Smith’s Meltdown and Hutchison had previously expressed wishes to complete their next album “by the end of the year”.
Hutchison also worked on a variety of other projects, including Mastersystem, a group he formed with brother Grant and former Editors guitarist Justin Lockey. They had also performed earlier this year following the release of their album Dance Music, which received positive reviews.
During an interview last week, Hutchison spoke candidly about his mood, saying he was: “Middling”.
“On a day-to-day basis, I’m a solid six out of 10,” he told Noisy. “I don’t know how often I can hope for much more than that. I’m drawn to negatives in life, and I dwell on them, and they consume me. I don’t think I’m unique in that sense. I’m all right with a six. If I get a couple of days a week at a seven, f**k, it’s great.”
Franz Ferdinand singer Alex Kapranos paid tribute to the singer, writing: “Awful news about Scott Hutchison. A terrible loss.” Belle and Sebastian’s Stuart Murdoch wrote: “Tragic news about Scott Hutchison. The whole music community in Scotland was praying for a different outcome.” Snow Patrol singer Gary Lightbody called Hutchison “one of Scotland’s most extraordinary songwriters”.
The Samaritans can be contacted in the UK on 116 123. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-8255
