Dominic Mallory of Last Lights (1984-2008)

Dominic Mallory of Last Lights has passed away. The 24-year old lead singer suffered a brain aneurysm.

Our deepest condolences to his friends and family.

Brian Thixton of Les Turds (1971-2008)

Brian "Turd" Thixton of Les Turds has been killed in New Orleans. The band wrote about the incident in their blog:

I find out Brian Turd has been shot dead in the streets of New Orleans. I don't know so much how to take all this right now. I'm definitely angry at whoever shot him. I don't know the details but I do know that if you bring a gun to a fist fight then you are lower than cowardly. If it was a mugging then they are big piece as ass shit. You can look at Brian and just know you won't get more than 20 bucks and his life, any life, is so much more valuable than that.

I remember the first time I met Brian I was 16. He pulled up to my dad's house in a old big ass truck that would later come to be know the "Motel Dodge." He had Cannibal Corpse cranked and was sporting one hell of a mullet. He quoted the lines most would find most disturbing but he found most entertaining and would let out his patented Beavis and Butthead-ish laugh.

New Orleans has had "crime" cameras in the area for some time, but the cameras were damaged in the storm and so no information on what happened is currently available.

Our deepest condolences to his friends and family.

Mitch Mitchell of the Jimi Hendrix Experience (1947-2008)

Many of you wrote in with the sad news that Mitch Mitchell, drummer for the influential Jimi Hendrix Experience, has passed away at 61 of natural causes. Mitchell, along with his bandmates and eponymous bandleader, were vastly influential through their sound which directly shaped the evolution of the electric guitar. The band's judicious use of distortion and effects was a major influence on both the rock'n'roll of the day and everything which followed from The Who through Sonic Youth.

For his part, Mitchell pioneered "fusion" drumming which was far more involved that more traditional rock drumming and influenced by jazz. These are all things taken for granted in modern music, which only speaks to the musicians vast influence.

Our deepest condolences to his friends and family.

Jamie Ewing (1983 - 2008)

Some sad news today as Jamie Ewing of Bent Outta Shape passed away last week at his apartment in Brooklyn. He was 25. We contacted Stevo from 1-2-3-4 Go! who released one of the group's seven-inches who sent us hi thoughts:

Although Jamie and I only had a few opportunities to hang out in person over the years he always lit up whatever situation we were in together and situations where he should have been always seemed a little dimmer for his absence. I guess we're all going to have to get used to the lights being a little lower from here on out.

He was one of the most talented, hilarious screw ups I've ever known and I still can't get my head around the fact that he's gone. I feel a little weird eulogizing him in a public space knowing that there are so many other people who knew him so much better. I was talking to one of them on Wednesday and we both marveled at how many people flat out loved Jamie.

He wasn't just well liked. He wasn't just a cool guy you saw around sometimes. He was flat out loved. Even by those like me who didn't get a chance to see him on a daily basis. If you met him…even if he pissed you off…you had to love him. He had that power. I don't feel like it's my place to say how he died or that it's really that important. All that matters is that he's gone and we're worse for it. If you loved him…don't go out and get fucked up tonight. Listen to his music or be with other people who knew him if you can and share stories. Take care of yourselves and each other. We're dramatically less invincible than we think we are.

Our condolences to Jamie's friends and family.

Nathaniel Mayer (1944-2008)

Long-running soul artist Nathaniel Mayer has died at the age of 64. He suffered from a series of strokes over the period of a few days.

Mayer had been an active member of the Detroit soul music scene of the early 1960's with the Fortune label, but returned to music after a long absence to record I Just Want to Be Held in 2002 for Epitaph imprint Fat Possum records and Why Don't You Give It To Me? in 2007 through Alive. In his last album, he collaborated with members of The Black Keys and The Dirtbombs.

His songs have been covered by The Detroit Cobras as well as many other garage rock and blues revival punk bands.

Our deepest condolences to his friends and family.

Frank Navetta of the Descendents (-2008)

Many of you wrote in with the sad news that Frank Navetta, founding member of Descendents has passed away. Frank founded the band with Tony Lombardo and Bill Stevenson in 1979. His bandmates made the announcement:

We're very sorry to announce that founding member of The DESCENDENTS, and close friend Frank Navetta passed away on October 31, 2008 after becoming ill over the course of a few days. This is obviously a huge loss for the DESCENDENTS family. His contribution to the band, and to music in general can not be overstated. Frank will be truly missed. We will share information about memorial services when we find out.

Among other classic albums, Frank wrote and played on Milo Goes To College which was an incredibly important and influential record that meant so much to this writer. His work and influence cannot be understated and he will be missed. He left the band and moved to Oregon to become a full time fisherman in 1985.

Our deepest condolences to Frank's friends and family.

Terrin Durfey (1974-2008)

Terrin Durfey of Boilermaker, The Jade Shader and Pinback has passed away after a long battle with cancer. Touch & Go made this statement:

Sadly, Pinback member and friend to Touch and Go Terrin Durfey passed away early this morning. His recurring cancer returned just prior to the most recent Pinback tour and he was unable to perform with the band. Instead, he spent that time in and out of the hospital, trying all manner of treatments, remaining unfathomably positive, and being with his amazing family.

A foundation was set up in his name to help support his wife and child. You can find more information about that here.

Our deepest condolences to his friends and family.

Artist Ray Lowry (1944-2008)

English artist, illustrator, and satirist Ray Lowry has died at the age of 64.

In 1979 Ray was invited to accompany the Clash on their debut US tour, illustrating the band's progress along the way and sending reports and artwork back to NME in the UK. At the end of the trip he was responsible for the design of the band's iconic Elvis-spoofing London Calling album cover. Joe Strummer dubbed him the "War Artist" on the tour.

Lowry worked as a cartoonist and illustrator since the late 60s, contributing to such publications as The Guardian, Private Eye, Punch, NME, Melody Maker, The Observer and Mojo among many others. An exhibition of his work is currently running at the See Gallery in Rawenstall, Lancashire until November 7th. Our deepest condolences go out to Ray's family and friends.

Frankie Venom of Teenage Head (1957-2008)

Frank Kerr, better known to fans as Frankie Venom, the lead singer of veteran Hamilton, Ontario punk band Teenage Head, has passed away. Kerr died of cancer on October 15th, he was 51. Guitarist Gord Lewis made the announcement earlier today through the band's label Sonic Unyon. Kerr helped form the band in 1975 when its members were still in high school, making them one of the earliest punk bands in Canada and winning them the title of "Canada's Ramones." The group released their self-titled debut in 1979, breaking through with the album Frantic City in 1980.

Teenage Head most recently teamed up with Ramones drummer Marky Ramone to record an album of the band's classics. It was released this past April. Earlier today it was announced that the band would be the recipients of a lifetime achievement award at next month's Hamilton Music Awards.

Our deepest condolences go out to Frankie's family, friends and fans.

Alton Ellis (1938-2008)

This past Friday rocksteady pioneer Alton Ellis died of cancer in a London hospital. He was 70.

The innovative singer-songwriter was born in Kingston, Jamacia in 1938, launching a singing career in 1959 as part of a duo with Eddy Perkins and recording at Coxsone Dodd's legendary Studio One. By the mid 60s he was instrumental in the launch of rocksteady, a successor to the earlier ska music and a precursor to reggae. His song "Get Ready - Rock Steady" helped name the fledgling genre. Ellis moved to London, England in the 70s where he became known as the "Godfather of Rocksteady" with a sting of hits.

Alton Ellis lived his final years in Northolt, Middlesex and is survived by more than 20 children. Our deepest condolences go out to his friends, family and fans.