Written by: Matt Sloan

Stereo Embers is shocked and saddened to report the death of Gary Watson of The Lapelles.

Watson, who fronted the East Kilbride outfit was only 22.

Upsettingly enough, Watson died on his 22nd birthday.

The cause of death is being attributed to a freak accident which, according to the Scottish Sun, found the singer falling into the River Clyde. The eighth longest river in the UK and the second longest in Scotland, the River Clyde flows through Glasgow.

The band has not confirmed the Sun’s story, but did post the following on their Twitter feed: “It’s with shock, heavy hearts and sadness that we have to let you know the news that Gary sadly passed away this morning as a result of injuries sustained in a tragic accident last night. Today was his 22nd birthday. We are lost for words and struggling to process such a tragedy.”

They went on to write on their Facebook page: “Gary was a creative force, a man who without his vision this band wouldn’t exist. We have lost a friend, a brother, a hero. At the moment it doesn’t seem real. We send our deepest condolences to Gary’s family and would appreciate your respect in allowing them & us some peace whilst we grieve.”

The Lapelles were one of the most exciting young bands around and word was traveling fast. They opened for The View and The Last Shadow Puppets and their single “Grab Life By” was in constant rotation on Alex Green’s Primal Radio program “The Heart Goes Boom.”

“They had all the melodic ferocity of The Vaccines and the feral grace of the Libertines,” Alex says. “This is a devastating loss for Gary’s friends and family and the entire world of music.”

Franz Ferdinand tipped their hat to Watson earlier today, declaring he was a “lovely, talented man.”