Died On This Date (November 9, 2014) Jonathan Athon / Bassist For Black Tusk
themusicsover Jonathan Athon
DOB Unknown – November 9, 2014
Jonathan Athon was the bassist and vocalist for popular Savannah, Georgia sludge metal pioneers, Black Tusk. Inspired equally by ’70s metal, speed metal, and punk, Black Tusk formed in 2005 and quickly rose to the top of the Savannah metal scene which also includes Kylesa and Baroness. After a handful of self-released albums and split EPs, the band signed with Relapse Records who released their breakout album, 2010’s Taste The Sin. The band continued to deliver what fans wanted, both on record and in concert, over the next four years. During the night of November 8, 2014, Athon and his girlfriend were reportedly riding on his motorcycle when they were involved in a collision with an automobile. Both sustained serious injuries but Athon was put into a medically induced coma to monitor his more severe head trauma. Details of the accident, as well as the condition of the other driver, were not immediately released. On November 9, 2014, Jonathan Athon was reportedly removed from life support and passed away. He was 32.
What You Should Own
Wayne Static was the lead singer and multi-instrumentalist for the Los Angeles based industrial metal band, Static-X. Formed in 1994, the band built a legion of followers thanks to a sound that co-mingled industrial metal, groove metal and nu-metal. Over the course of the band’s 16 year run, they released six albums including their Platinum-selling debut, Wisconsin Death Trip. Static was the only original member of the band throughout its entire lifespan. Seemingly musically gifted at an early age, Static’s parents bought him his first guitar at the age of seven, and by the time he was 12, he was in his first band. He eventually moved from Chicago to Los Angeles where Static-X was born. After a very successful run, the band went on hiatus in 2009 during which time Static released his solo debut, 2011’s Pighammer, which peaked at #97 on the US Album Charts. He formed a new version of Static-X in 2012, but disbanded it for good the following year. Outside of Static-X, Static collaborated with the likes of Skinny Puppy, Godhead, Soil, and Run DMC. He was scheduled to tour with Powerman 5000 and American Head Charge in November of 2014. Wayne Static was 48 when he passed away on November 1, 2014. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Randy Coven was a rock bass virtuoso who counted no less than guitar gods, Steve Vai and Yngwie Malmsteen as band leaders. Born on Long Island, Coven picked up the bass at an early age and was lucky enough to get some early schooling from a neighbor and fusion legend, Jeff Berlin. After high school, during which he played in local hard rock cover bands, Coven continued his music education at the Berklee School of Music in Boston. It was there that he met fellow student Vai, with whom he formed Morning Thunder. After they broke up, Coven joined a Canadian fusion band, Orpheus. He later moved back to New York where he formed his own band. Throughout the ’90s, he played with the likes of C.P.R., Leslie West‘s reunited Mountain, and Malmsteen. Throughout his career, Coven released three of his own albums, Funk Me Tender (1990), Sammy Says Ouch! (1990), and Witch Way (2002). Randy Coven was 56 when he passed away on May 20, 2014. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Dave Brockie is best remembered as lead singer for the popular theatrical shock metal band, GWAR. Going under the stage name, Oderus Urungus, Brockie co-formed the band in 1984. GWAR went on to build a legion of fans due in part to their over-the-top sci-fi inspired costumes and comic book violence that ran through their lyrics and live shows. They released their debut album, Hell-O, in 1988 and 11 more leading up to the 2013 release of, Battle Maximus. 2014 found the band touring in celebration of their 30th anniversary. Dave Brockie was 50 when he was found dead in his home on March 23, 2014. Cause of death was not immediately released. GWAR band mate, 
