Nick Weaver dies aged 37: Deep Sea Arcade guitarist loses cancer battle

Nick Weaver, the guitarist and co-founder of Sydney psychedelic rock band Deep Sea Arcade and The Tambourine Girls, has died at the age of 37.

He had been diagnosed with bowel cancer, his family told Double J in a statement.

‘He was in the midst of many projects including recording a new album with The Tambourine Girls, a disco record with Salmon Brothers, as well as a solo record, which his bandmates have pledged to finish and release soon,’ his family said.

‘His creativity was only just blossoming, and he will be greatly missed.’

Weaver founded Deep Sea Arcade as a teenager with his friend Nic McKenzie, but they didn’t release their first album, Outlands, until 2012.

The album was noted for its ’60s-inspired sound and received critical acclaim.

He had been diagnosed with bowel cancer, his family told Double J in a statement

Their sophomore effort, 2018’s Blacklight, was recorded by Grammy-winning producer Eric J Dubowsky, who was this week recognised at the APRA Music Awards for his work with Vera Blue.

Blacklight brought them wider attention, but ended up being their last LP. 

According to the Music Network, concert promoter Michael Chugg described Deep Sea Arcade in 2013 as ‘one of the best bands in Australia’.

Weaver founded Deep Sea Arcade as a teenager with his friend Nic McKenzie, but they didn’t release their first album, Outlands, until 2012

Before choosing music as his path, Weaver had apparently wanted to be a palaeontologist because of his childhood interest in dinosaurs.

Deep Sea Arcade toured with bands such as Modest Mouse, The Charlatans, Kaiser Chiefs and Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds.

They performed extensively across the UK and Europe as a headline and support act, and on the festival circuit, including at Australia’s Big Day Out. 

Deep Sea Arcade toured with bands such as Modest Mouse, The Charlatans, Kaiser Chiefs and Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds