Douglas McCarthy was a founding member of Nitzer Ebb, a British band closely associated with the electronic body music genre.
The worlds of electronic body music (EBM), punk, industrial, and beyond shine a little less brightly this week as Nitzer Ebb cofounder and frontman Douglas McCarthy has died at age 58 of as yet undisclosed causes.
The surviving members of the British band broke the news on social media. “It is with a heavy heart that we regret to inform that Douglas McCarthy passed away this morning of June 11th, 2025,” reads their Instagram post. “We ask everyone to please be respectful of Douglas, his wife, and family in this difficult time. We appreciate your understanding and will share more information soon.”
Tributes have come pouring in from artists across the music spectrum. In the electronic music world, a number of techno artists in particular have shared memories involving McCarthy, pointing to the the genre’s overlap with EBM and industrial.
“Today we lost a legend,” wrote LA techno stalwart Drumcell on Facebook. “A personal hero of mine growing up who became a dear friend, a mentor, and an endless source of humor and late-night madness. The banter was always sharp, always honest. I’ll never forget the few late studio nights — losing track of time, talking shit, chasing ghosts.”
“What terrible terrible news,” wrote British techno DJ and producer Dave Clarke on Facebook. “Doug was a lovely Gentleman, a big influence on me.”
Douglas McCarthy was born in East London and grew up in Essex, exposed to a wide range of music by his sheet metal worker father. He met future drummer David Gooday when he was only ten, none the wiser that the two would go on to start an influential band together.
Alongside Bon Harris and Simon Granger, McCarthy and Gooday started Nitzer Ebb in 1982. Among the band’s most notable early singles were “Warsaw Ghetto,” “Let Your Body Learn,” and “Join In The Chant,” the lattermost of which became a hit in pre-acid house Ibiza nightclubs.
We here at EDM Identity express our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Douglas McCarthy during what can only be a difficult time.
