Tributes paid to '˜much-loved' Hartlepool musician Drew Falconer

Drew Falconer a former musician and gifted sound engineer at Hartlepool town music venue The Studio, died on Monday surrounded by friends and family.

The 58-year-old father of two sons – Brendan and Dave – from Seaton Carew, had been battling pneumonia.

Steven Hart, a friend and acting chairman at The Studio, in Tower Street, called him a ‘unique character’.

The 34-year-old also from Seaton Carew, said: “He was a colleague and friend of mine at The Studio and I met him in 1998 when we moved to Tower Street.

“He was such a character and had a unique way of looking at the world.

“He always wanted to make you laugh and the darker the situation the more humour he would put into it.

“That was one of the reasons people liked him. I met him when I was 16 and he opened doorways for me into different types of music and art.”

Drew performed with Hartlepool band Alien Stains in the 70s, and founded acclaimed Frank Zappa tribute band Wagga Jawaka and fronted conceptual art group Dr T Drewid.

He was immensely popular and well known on the local music scene through his involvement in various comedy bands and was always supportive of upcoming bands and young musicians. He was involved with The Studio from around 1998 to 2005.

Steven added: “I always spent weekends around his house and would spend hours listening to music round there.

“Drew played drums and we were in a couple of bands together – Hammy Carreras and the Pink Snuffle Bandand Dr T Drewid and Lewd Shambolic Demons, which were comedy bands. He was very unique, well-loved and is much missed.”