Tributes are flowing for much-loved Happy Hate Me Nots and former New Christs and Someloves member Christian Houllemare who has passed away.
A long-time Australian resident, the French-born bassist was found at his home in Sydney’s inner-west over the weekend.
One of the nicest guys on the Australian underground rock scene and a widely respected bass-player, Christian was a native of Le Havre and played in French melodic high energy band Bad Brains (no relation to the US outfit) before emigrating.
He joined Sydney's Happy Hate Me Nots and played on their best known recordings, re-joining band leader Paul Berwick in the re-constituted line-up in the ‘00s.
Christian was a member of the New Christs from 1992-2001 and played on the “We Got This” and “Lower Yourself” albums.
In 2000 he worked in Sydney as an interpreter for the French Olympic team and had been a long-term employee with the Australian Performing Arts Association (APRA), the royalty collection agency for musicians.
Funeral details will be posted here as soon as we hear. Meanwhile, here are some clips of Christian performing.
Christian on bass and vocals for Bad Brains:
Playing with the New Christs in France:
