R.L. Burnside (1926-2005)

Guitarist, singer and songwriter Rural L. Burnside passed away earlier today in a Memphis hospital. The following statement was released by Fat Possum Records:

Blues artist R.L. Burnside, who redefined the blues genre by incorporating indie rock acts and hip-hop production, died September 1, 2005, at St. Francis Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Burnside was born November 21, 1926, in Harmontown, Mississippi, and spent most of his life in the north Mississippi hill country, where he worked as a sharecropper and a commercial fisherman and played guitar at weekend house parties. In 1968, noted folklorist George Mitchell recorded Burnside for the first time. In 1991 Burnside was the first artist signed to then-fledgling Fat Possum Records in Oxford, Mississippi. His debut, "Too Bad Jim," was produced by former New York Times pop critic Robert Palmer. Along with his friend, neighbor, and label-mate Junior Kimbrough, Burnside was one of the most popular and important blues musicians to emerge in the last two decades. He recorded the crossover collaboration "A Ass Pocket of Whiskey" with the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion in 1996 and became a cult hero. In 1998, music from "Come On In" was featured in several movies and television shows, including The Sopranos. Burnside sold hundreds of thousands of records in his lifetime. He is survived by his wife Alice Mae, twelve children, and numerous grandchildren.

Our deepest condolences go out to R.L.'s family and friends.

Steven “Stevo” Jensen of the Vandals (1959-2005)

Former Vandals lead singer Steven "Stevo" Jensen passed away at his home on the island of Maui last weekend due to causes as yet unknown.

Jensen sang for the Vandals from 1980 through 1984, appearing on the band's first two full-lengths, Peace Through Vandalism and When In Rome Do As The Vandals before being replaced by current vocalist Dave Quackenbush.

Guitarist Jan Nils Ackermann had the following to say:

First as his friend and then as his bandmate, I noticed that whoever met Stevo was touched by his unique sense of humor and talent for entertaining. Trust me…there was nothing he wouldn't do for a laugh. I was constantly surprised and entertained by Stevo, even at our own shows. Stevo was a great friend and an outstanding entertainer. Anybody who came to our shows knew that. The Vandals of the Stevo years (1980-84) stood for nothing more than having a good time and poking a little fun at such a serious and confusing world. Stevo's Vandals had no dogma, no agenda, no anger, and no greed… Stevo was an inspiration to me and was always our friend…always. On behalf of myself and Vandals bassist Steve "Human"Pfauter, we extend our sincere condolences to Stevo's parents and family.Long Live Stevo…Anarchy Burgers for everyone!

Services will be held in both Maui and Los Angeles, CA. You can click here for details.

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

Bob Moog (1934-2005)

Yesterday afternoon, electronic instrument pioneer Robert Moog died at his home in Asheville, North Carolina. He had been diagnosed with brain cancer (glioblastoma multiforme or GBM) in late April 2005. He had received both radiation treatment and chemotherapy to help combat the disease but ultimately succumbed to a brain tumor at the age of 71.

Moog, who had a doctorate in electrical engineering, invented the synthesizer which bore his name in 1963 and it was one of the first widely used electronic musical instruments. The trademark sound of his instruments could be heard on a variety of records from early Devo recordings to recent albums from Motion City Soundtrack.

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

Randall J.“Biscuit” Turner of Big Boys (1956-2005)

The sad news has come in that Randall J."Biscuit" Turner of pioneering Austin punk act Big Boys has passed away. Forming in the late 70s, the band consisted of the occasionally cross-dressing Randy "Biscuit" Turner, with Tim Kerr on guitar, Chris Gates playing bass, and Rey Washam on drums. Though clearly driven by hardcore punk, the band also dabbled with humor, eclectic songwriting and a funk influence which made them a precursor to bands like Fishbone and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Besides those influences, the band at times played an early brand of post-punk not unlike their contemporaries The Minutemen. The unique sounding band gained a loyal national following after appearing on a number of skateboard magazines, Thrasher's, popular compilations, and were known for their encouragement of crowd participation, breaking down the barriers between performer and audience.

In 1993, Touch and Go compiled two anthology CDs for the band, titled The Skinny Elvis and The Fat Elvis which included essays from Fugazi/Minor threat frontman Ian MacKaye and producer Steve Albini.

At the end of early shows the band was famous for yelling, "OK y'all, go start your own band".

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

Punk promoter Esther Wong (1917-2005)

Esther Wong, the famed promoter affectionately known as the "godmother of punk," passed away this past Sunday at her Los Angeles home. She was 88. Wong's daughter Melinda Braun made the announcement this Wednesday. Esther suffered from cancer and emphysema.

Born in Shanghai, Wong moved to Los Angeles in 1949 following the revolution in China. Her first Madame Wong's nightclub opened in the late `60s. In 1978 the clubs, which had previously booked Polynesian music, switched to a rock format and became a hub for many then-emerging punk and new wave acts, including the Police, X, the Ramones, the Go-Gos, Oingo Boingo and many others. The original Madame Wong's closed in 1985, with a second, Madame Wong's West, continuing until 1991.

Wong is survived by her second husband Harry, son Frank, daughter Braun, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Our deepest condolences go out to Esther's family and friends.

Southern Records founder John Loder (1946-2005)

Southern Records founder John Loder passed away this past Saturday. His longtime collaborators at Dischord Records have issued the following statement:

On August 13th we lost our dear friend and business partner, John Loder.

John ran Southern Studios in London and has worked with Dischord for the past twenty-one years overseeing the manufacturing and distribution of many of our releases. Without John and Southern, Dischord would have never been able to have done so much in that time.

While his brilliance with computers and distribution was unquestionable, John's first and foremost love was music. He operated a studio out of a garage behind his house in the Wood Green neighborhood in London and recorded a number of Dischord releases there including Fugazi's Margin Walker E.P in 1988 (these songs appear on the 13 Songs CD). He also engineered and produced records for Crass and bands that appeared on their label, Corpus Christi, as well as many others including The Subhumans, Babes in Toyland, Shellac, Ministry, PJ Harvey, and Jesus and the Marychain.

John spent the last year battling the effects of a serious seizure caused by a brain tumor, but his condition worsened in the last month. He died peacefully and with loved ones early Saturday morning.

John's daughter Natasha posted the announcement and an account of his final day on his blog this past Saturday. Check the comments section for kind words from Steve Albini, Ian MacKaye, Guy Picciotto and many others. Funeral arrangements should appear on that page when they are finalized.

Our deepest condolences go out to John's family and friends.

John Tamas of Palehorse (1979-2005)

John Tamas, guitarist of Connecticut-based Palehorse has passed away. His label, Martyr issued the following statement from his bandmates:

As most of you may know by now, a close personal friend, brother, and band mate passed away [Monday]. There are no words to express the shock and despair we are all feeling right now. John Tamas grew up with all of us to the tune of 15+ years. He was a part of the Connecticut Hardcore scene for the past 12 years and has made a lasting impact in all of our lives. We would like to send our utmost gratitude to those who have been there for us in this tragic time. Your words, emails, phone calls, and tears have reopened our eyes to hardcore and what hardcore is all about. We have been surrounded by loved ones all day. Thank you so much.

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

Laurel Aitken: the Godfather of Ska (1927-2005)

London's Club Ska is reporting that at 8 am this morning Laurel Aitken, widely acknowledged as the 'Godfather of Ska' and affectionately known as 'Boss Skinhead,' died of a heart attack at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester, England. Aitken was born in Cuba on April 22, 1927 and moved to his father's homeland of Jamaica in 1938. In 1957 he began his recording career with the single "Roll Jordan Roll." The double A-side "Little Sheila" / "Boogie in my Bones" was the first single released on Chris Blackwell's Island Records, one of the first ever ska records, and the first Jamaican recording ever released in England. Aitken relocated to the U.K. and recorded numerous hits throughout the 60s. He was later acknowledged as "an elder statesman to the Two Tone ska revival movement of the punk era" (AllMusic).

The 2-Tone era saw Aitken performing with the English Beat, touring with mod band Secret Affair, and backed by punk/reggae act the Ruts. In the 80s Aitken regularly toured the U.K. and recorded with British act Potato 5. In 1986 appeared in mod film Absolute Beginners alongside David Bowie. Throughout the late 90s he performed with several third-wave ska acts, including the Toasters and the New York Ska Jazz Ensemble. Most recently, 2002 saw the release of Live at Club Ska.

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

Silkworm drummer Michael Dahlquist (1966-2005)

Yesterday, Silkworm drummer Michael Dahlquist was killed in an auto accident in Skokie, Illinois. Dahlquist and two companions -- John Glick, guitarist of the Returnables and Doug Meis, drummer of Exo and the Dials -- were stopped at a traffic light and were intentionally struck from behind by a 23-year-old woman in a failed suicide attempt. Dahlquist, Glick and Meis were all killed in the crash; they were 39, 35 and 29, respectively. The woman was not seriously injured.

Silkworm bassist/vocalist Tim Midgett confirmed Michael's passing on the band's message board earlier today. There is also a thread mourning the loss on the Electrical Audio message board, where Dahlquist was a contributor.

Silkworm's last release was 2004's Touch And Go-released It'll Be Cool. Their last show was April 30 in Coumbia, Missouri. Midgett has since told the Chicago Tribune that the band is officially over. To those unfamiliar with the group's music, you can stream a song off their MySpace page, and find three MP3s at their Touch And Go page under the "Featured Clips" tab.

Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Mr Dahlquist, Mr. Glick and Mr. Meis.

Update: A more detailed story has been posted online by the Chicago Tribune. You can view it here. [google news link]

Karl Mueller of Soul Asylum (1964-2005)

Karl Mueller of Soul Asylum passed away Friday due to complications from esophageal cancer. He was 41.

Mueller, along with his bandmates in Soul Asylum rose to prominence in the 1980s with Twin Cities bands the Replacements and Hüsker Dü. They released a series of albums on Minneapolis-based indie, Twin/Tone Records before signing to A&M and then Columbia to release the first of three platinum albums with Grave Dancers Union. The band went on to perform at the MTV-sponsored inaugural ball for Bill Clinton.

While the band had been on a lengthy hiatus, they had begun working on new material when Karl was diagnosed with a tumour on his throat last May. After the disease went into remission, Paul Westerberg of the Replacements and Bob Mould of Hüsker Dü joined Karl and Soul Asylum for a benefit concert last October, but the illness soon returned and Mueller spent his final days at his home in Minneapolis.

Our deepest condolences go out to Karl's friends and family.