R.I.P. Chris Paine of Killing Time and Mantissa

Chris Paine of Killing Time/Mantissa has died in Melbourne.

An announcement at the Killing Time/Mantissa Facebook page has notified fans, “It is with a very heavy heart that I have to announce that Chris Paine died this morning. He was a founding member and rhythm guitarist for Killing Time and Mantissa. An awesome guitarist, skater and an all-round good guy he helped to break down barriers between different worlds from skaters to rockers”.

Chris originally formed Mantissa as Killing Time in 1989 initially with Nina Grant on bass and vocals, Adam Pringle on lead vocals and Arnie Prazz on drums. Prazz was replaced by Russell Hopkinson (who went on to join You Am I).

Killing Time had two releases make ARIA chart impact with firstly ‘Ruby’s Mind’ reaching no 72 in 1991 and then the ‘Dream Alone’ EP reaching no 33 in 1992.

In 1992 Killing Time became Mantissa to avoid clashing with an American and a Japanese band of the same name. In October 1992 they released the album ‘Mossy God’ through Polydor, produced by Terry Date. It reached no 47 on the ARIA album chart.

Mantissa were the opening act for Red Hot Chili Peppers Australian tour of 1992, Pantera in 1994 and they played the Big Day Out of 1995.

Matissa’s Facebook page has the following memorial info. “A wake for Chris Paine will be held on Monday 23 November from 2pm onwards at the Elsternwick Hotel. Come along and celebrate this wonderful person’s life together. Everyone is welcome”.