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Women Guitarist Dead: Christopher Reimer, 26, Dies in His Sleep

Christopher ReimerFlemish Eye

--Christopher Reimer is second from the right.

UPDATE: "Chris is best known for his incredible and innovative guitar playing," Flemish Eye said in a statement Wednesday. "In Chris' hands, a guitar was transformed into an orchestra of layers and unrecognizable sounds; watching him play would leave one stunned that he could make a guitar sound so otherworldly."

"Although he has left a huge impact on many people through his contributions to music, Chris will be remembered by those around him for his wonderful presence. Chris left an impression on people all over two continents as he toured with Women and later with The Dodos, and people will remember his easy laugh, his generous nature and his wicked sense of humour."

"It's impossible to overstate the impact that Chris's passing will have on his community, as he was greatly loved. The fact that he chose to stay in Calgary instead of moving to another music centre is a statement to his commitment to his friends and family, all of whom are in total shock about this utterly tragic and sudden loss."

Christopher Reimer, guitarist for Calgary noise-rock group Women and, more recently, the Dodos, is dead at age 26. According to the Calgary Herald, he passed away in his sleep.

"We're shocked and saddened to hear about the passing of Women guitarist, Chris Reimer. Chris' virtuosic playing is one of the many reasons we fell in love with this band in the first place. If you were lucky enough to ever see them play live, you know what we mean. Always calm and collected while shredding. So much fun to watch," wrote the group's U.S. record label Jagjaguwar.

"All of that aside, Chris was an incredible friend. He was one of the warmest and funniest people we've been lucky to know and work with. As sad as this is, it's hard to not smile when thinking of him. Our love and support goes out to Chris' family and friends. So so much love for you, Chris."

Women formed in in 2007 with longtime friends Reimer, Mike Wallace, Patrick Flegel and Matthew Flegel. The band's self-titled debut, recorded by Chad VanGaalen, received critical acclaim as Women was compared to the Velvet Underground and the Zombies.

The band's 2010 sophomore effort, 'Public Strain,' proved to be an ominous title as Women would break up during a tumultuous show in Victoria, B.C. during which witnesses reported to Exclaim! that an onstage band brawl broke out.

"With a heavy heart, we regret to say that the band Women is exhausted and are in need of a break from touring," the band's Canadian label, Flemish Eye, said at the time. "They have experienced a lot of stress recently, and this culminated in a disastrous public conflict on Friday. Band members have been suffering from poor health, and are in near-exhaustion; as of today, all upcoming shows have been cancelled... The band would appreciate some privacy as they sort things out and recover."

After going on hiatus, some members performed with Chad VanGaalen while Reimer performed with the Dodos last year.

Neither members of Women nor Flemish Eye have released a statement on Reimer's death but several bands took to their Twitter accounts to send condolences.

"Chris Reimer will always be a huge inspiration to all of us," fellow label mates Braids tweeted Tuesday night. "Much love."

"We are devastated to hear about the passing of Christopher Reimer," Vancouver group Library Voices tweeted. "Our hearts go out."

"The Canadian Indie Music Scene is like family and we all feel it when we lose a member," added Outside Music. "Our thoughts go out to those who knew Christopher Reimer."

A memorial page has also been set up by his older sibling Nikki. "My beautiful, talented, sweet, smart, amazing, lovely, handsome, wonderful brother died in his sleep at the age of 26," Nikki wrote. "This is for him."

Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.

Watch Women Perform 'Bullfight' Video

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Matilda

a friend's sister-in-law makes $65 hourly on the laptop. She has been laid off for 6 months but last month her pay was $19426 just working on the laptop for a few hours. Go to this web site and read more NuttyRich dot com

February 26 2012 at 10:03 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
tim

who !!!

February 25 2012 at 3:42 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mjames5464

...Who??...What??..Where??...

February 25 2012 at 10:25 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Deon

jisexports.bigcartel.com

February 23 2012 at 11:37 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Alisa

From my musician boyfriend: "Young Chris was probably a big fan of the band "TELEVISION". Imo, his sound is reminiscent of this band. I think he was really shooting for their sound. Chris had talent. His folks should be proud. If I was his dad, I'd be proud that he did something with his music. A lot of people are just "wanna-be's". Naysayers and critics: Blow it out your bung-hole."

February 22 2012 at 8:43 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
Alisa

I've been aware of this band for 20 minutes now. I've been sort of isolated lately and not up on current happenings. Would've loved to seen them live with this line up. Guess it wasn't meant to be for me. They remind me of another band that I loved dearly: "Television" from 1977. You can't go wrong with a Telecaster sound. God Bless and RIP, dude.

February 22 2012 at 8:25 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
Andy Sr.

Years ago when intelligent people actually existed, there were many things that could take a young persons life. medical, neurological, hereditary. but thats when intelligent people existed Sometimes the best thing to say is nothing at all. R.I.P. Christopher Reimer

February 22 2012 at 8:04 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Andy Sr.'s comment
Don Murphy

The fact that the vast majority of people in existence at any given time have been endowed with average intelligence at best has been an ineluctable part of the human condition since the beginning of time, so don't get caught up in the erroneous idea that the overall percentages are any more skewed than they've ever been. The numbers are indeed unfavorable, but the reality is they've ALWAYS been less than ideal and that true intelligence has always been at a premium.

February 23 2012 at 3:49 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Sev

I'm very sorry this man died but Who the hell is Woman????? and why on earth would they want to call themselves that? they look like men to me.... but then again there was Queen !!!!!!

February 22 2012 at 7:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Sev

I'm very sorry this man dies but Who the hell is Woman????? and why on earth would they want to call themselves that? they look like men to me.... but then again there was Queen !!!!!!

February 22 2012 at 7:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
puckhead1296

I must be getting old because I have never heard of this guy.

February 22 2012 at 7:54 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply