Peter Principle, bassist for experimental post-punk act Tuxedomoon, 1954-2017

Peter Dachert, better known as Peter Principle, the bassist for the San Francisco-born, Brussels-based experimental post-punk act Tuxedomoon, died earlier this week while the group was working on new music and preparing to tour Europe, the band announced on its site.

Dachert, 63, was found dead on Monday in his room at Les Ateliers Claus in Brussels, where the band had assembled ahead of planned concert dates in late July and August. According to a message posted on Tuxedomoon’s website, it’s believed he died of a heart attack or stroke.

“We’re all stunned,” band co-founder Blaine L. Reininger wrote. “Words will come later.”

Tuxedomoon has since canceled its tour dates “with deepest regret and sorrow,” and advised fans to watch the group’s website for further news about the future. The band had been slated to perform in Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Portugal, Belgium and the U.K.

Here’s the full statement posted on Tuxedomoon’s website:

Tuxedomoon’s bassist and co-composer, Peter Principle Dachert, 63, has died. He was found in his room at Les Ateliers Claus in Brussels, where Tuxedomoon has been preparing a new tour and new music. He was the apparent victim of a heart attack or stroke. We are all stunned. Words will come later.

Tuxedomoon was formed in 1977 by Reininger and Steve Brown while the two attended San Francisco City College. The group expanded in size, releasing the No Tears EP in 1978 followed by debut full-length Half-Mute in 1980 — by which time Dachert was on board playing bass, guitar and synth.

The ’80s saw multiple lineup changes for Tuxedomoon, with Reininger leaving — but also the group’s greatest success, with 1985’s Holy Wars LP, which included “In a Manner of Speaking.” The band mostly was inactive throug the ’90s, then came back together in 2004 with Reininger, Dachert, Steven Brown and Luc Van Lieshout, who recorded the Cabin in the Sky. Another album, Vapour Trails, was released in 2007.

Band member Bruce Geduldig died last year.

The band had been working on a new record at the time of Rechert’s death.

Below, the band’s canceled tour — and some of its most memorable music.

Tuxedomoon tour dates:

July 28: Festival Brindisi, Italy
Aug. 3: Tolhuistuin, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Aug. 4: Jazz Cafe London, United Kingdom
Aug. 7: Hafenklang, Hamburg, Germany
Aug. 8: Lagerhaus, Bremen, Germany
Aug. 10: Festsaal Kreuzberg, Berlin, Germany
Aug. 26: Castelo de Leiria, Leiria, Portugal
Aug. 28: Magasin 4, Brussels, Belgium