The Presets have shared a moving tribute to the Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan, two Australians who were executed by firing squad in Indonesia early this morning for their roles as the ring leaders of the Bali Nine drug smuggling group.

The Aussie electronic duo made headlines earlier this week after Facebook comments about Chan and Sukumaran, prompted a war of words between the band and their fans. At one point, the pair told their Facebook followers that if they agree with murder “you are a total cunt and can fuck off”.

However, a clearly pensive Julian Hamilton, vocalist for the duo, has since issued a far more thoughtful and moving statement, in which he reflects on his grief over Chan and Sukumaran’s executions, which were condemned by a large number of Australians, including the PM.

“Waking to the distressing news that many of us have been dreading,” Hamilton wrote on Facebook. “I can’t even begin to imagine what Myuran and Andrew’s families are feeling right now. One of Andrew and Myuran’s last wishes was to walk around in the fresh air. I so hope they were granted that last wish.”

“Today I will breathe that same fresh air and savour it. Today I will sit in my backyard and be warmed by beautiful Autumn sunshine. I will listen to lorikeets singing outside my kitchen window. I will make music. I will do stupid things with my kids, and we will laugh heartily.”

“I will celebrate life and everything it has to offer, for it is the very least I can do on a day like today. Andrew and Myuran proved that, no matter what stupid mistakes we make in our past, they don’t necessarily have to define us. We can grow, and be better; we can be kinder and we can savour all that life offers us.”

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“Friends, lets be kinder to one another today. Let’s be better,” Hamilton concluded. The heartfelt missive was met with an overall positive response from fans, with many sharing their own thoughts about the tragic deaths of the two Australians.

The message follows an apology from the band about their comments to fans on Monday. “OK. Obviously that all got a bit out of control yesterday. I feel strongly about this issue but that’s still no excuse for getting personal… SORRY,” wrote producer Kim Moyes.

Meanwhile, other Aussie musicians have shared their thoughts about the execution of Chan and Sukumaran, including The Temper Trap, who actively campaigned for clemency for the pair, Alison Wonderland, Nina Las Vegas, and Megan Washington (see below).

Waking to the distressing news that many of us have been dreading. I can't even begin to imagine what Myuran and Andrew'…

Posted by The Presets on Tuesday, April 28, 2015

"free at last, free at last, thank god almighty we are free at last." thank you andrew and myu for being you. you are free now.

Posted by The Temper Trap on Tuesday, April 28, 2015

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