Tributes have poured in for beloved Sydney musician Michael Sutherland, after his sudden passing this week.

Michael was the founding drummer for popular ’90s funk outfit Skunkhour.

The band took to their official social media pages on Friday to break the sad news that Michael had suddenly died on Wednesday. 

The band posted a series of images of Michael along with a heartfelt tribute.

‘It is with great sadness that we relay the passing of founding member, long-term drummer, and our brother Michael Sutherland,’ the post began.

‘Mike passed away suddenly two days ago. He is survived by his 3 beautiful children, Eleanor, Hamish, and Archie, all of whom he loved dearly.’

Tributes have poured in for beloved Sydney musician Michael Sutherland, after his sudden passing this week

Tributes have poured in for beloved Sydney musician Michael Sutherland, after his sudden passing this week

The band continued to eulogise Michael, outlining his musical history and achievements away from the stage.  

‘Mike came up playing in the late ’80s post punk scene of Sydney with Jawbone Green as a teenager. He played rugby with Mosman and Norths. He studied Law for a time at Sydney Uni,’ the post continued.

‘He was a highly creative drummer, whose contributions to Skunkhour’s writing and recordings cannot go unrecognised.

‘He had a wicked sense of humour and a very sharp intellect. He will be missed.’

The sad post was met with an outpouring of condolences from fans, friends, and followers.

‘This is such sad news. Rest In Peace Mike,’ one heartbroken fan wrote on Facebook.

‘I lived and breathed Skunkhour between 1992-94 and reckon I saw them live more than any other band on the planet. They were one of the bands that provided the soundtrack to my late teens/early 20s. 

‘Being a bass player myself, Dean was always my focus but nothing beats a rhythm section with two brothers. Mike was absolutely rock solid, he had his unique groove and always served the songs.’

Michael was the founding drummer for popular '90s funk outfit Skunkhour

Michael was the founding drummer for popular ’90s funk outfit Skunkhour

The band took to their official social media pages on Friday to break the sad news that Michael had suddenly died on Wednesday. Pictured (L) with his brother and Skunkhour bassist Dean

The band took to their official social media pages on Friday to break the sad news that Michael had suddenly died on Wednesday. Pictured (L) with his brother and Skunkhour bassist Dean 

Another agreed, adding that Michael was an integral part of the band’s sound.

‘The push and pull of the Sutherland brothers is a defining part of the Skunkhour sound. Such a groove. Thanks Mike. You showed me a lot. Rest in flow, brother. Easy now,’ they wrote.

 A third added: ‘Oh man, this is such devastating news. Spent many funky hours with him in the good days of the Sydney live music scene. 

‘He was always so kind, funny, and great to be around. Sending buckets of love to the family. May his soul be in peace and ascend safely. xoxo’   

Skunkhour formed in Sydney back in 1991, with Michael providing the rhythm alongside his brother Dean on bass.

Throughout their career, the funk rockers have released four studio albums—their most successful being 1995’s Feed, which hit number 21 on the ARIA chart.

While ARIA award success eluded the band, in 1998, lauded producer Magoo picked up an Engineer of the Year nod for his work on Skunkhour tracks—Another Childish Man, Breathing Through My Eyes, Opportunist, and Pulse

The outfit disbanded in 2001, six months after the release of their fourth studio album The Go.

They have reunited a few times over the years, most recently on their 30th anniversary tour.

However, Michael was not a part of that line-up, having stepped away in 2022.Â