Douglas McCarthy, lead singer and co-founder of Nitzer Ebb, has died at age 58. His demise was confirmed in a press release from his bandmates, posted to social media.
“It is with a heavy heart that we regret to inform that Douglas McCarthy passed away this morning of June 11th, 2025,” it learn. “We ask everyone to please be respectful of Douglas, his wife, and family in this difficult time.” The reason for demise was not shared; the assertion concluded, “we appreciate your understanding and will share more information soon.”
McCarthy was born in East London in 1966, however grew up in Essex. There, he attended college together with his future group members Vaughan “Bon” Harris and David Gooday. The trio based Nitzer Ebb in 1982: “We played our first at the Chelmsford YMCA and quickly got a following from the punks,” McCarthy advised AnOther in 2012. They had been impressed by Essex’s synth band scene, creating their synth-punk fashion that might pioneer the digital physique music (EBM) style.
The band launched their first single, “Isn’t It Funny How Your Body Works,” in 1985, and their first album, That Whole Age, in 1987. They promoted the file by becoming a member of labelmates Depeche Mode for his or her “Music for the Masses” European tour. McCarthy turned recognized for his energetic, cathartic efficiency fashion, with a 1989 LA Occasions evaluation describing a Nitzer Ebb efficiency as an “interesting show, thanks largely to McCarthy’s athletic, pumped-up performing style and the punk-influenced fervor of his yowling.”
Nitzer Ebb disbanded following their 1995 album Massive Hit, earlier than reforming in 2006. Within the years in between, McCarthy teamed up with French producer Terence Tixmer to type the duo Fixmer/McCarthy, and he launched his solely solo album, Kill Your Mates, in 2013.
In 2024, McCarthy introduced he would not be touring with Nitzer Ebb because of cirrhosis. He shared on social media that he was taking the break “for myself and the amazing people I have around me who continue to stand by my side in full support of getting me better.” He’s survived by his spouse and household.
