Died On This Date (January 12, 2010) Brian “Damage” Keats / Drummer For The Misfits
themusicsover Brian Damage (Born Brian Keats)
February 11, 1963 – January 12, 2010
Brian Damage was a rock drummer who once played with Glenn Danzig in his band, the Misfits. Prior to that, Damage played with Genocide and Verbal Abuse. He joined the Misfits in 1983, but his first show ended up being the band’s farewell concert. And Damage didn’t even complete that show, as reports indicate, he was so drunk that the other band members physically removed him from the stage mid-show and continued on with another drummer. Following his brief tenure with the Misfits, Damage landed several studio and live gigs with many other artists. That list includes Raging Slab, Princess Pang, Sylvain Sylvain, Low Pop Suicide, Susannah Hoffs, Billy Idol, and the Fuzztones. Brian Damage died of cancer on January 12, 2010. He was 46 years old.
Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.
Will Shatter played bass and sang lead for San Fransisco post-hardcore band, Flipper. Though they never achieved much fame outside their core fan base, they are considered a strong influence on many of today’s punk bands. They were also critics’ darlings based in part on their signature song, “Sex Bomb.” Sadly, Shatter died of a heroin overdose on December 9, 1987, destroying any chance the band had to achieve the acclaim they deserved.
Darby Crash is best remembered as founder and lead singer for influential Los Angeles punk band, the Germs. Formed in 1977, the Germs were part of the same scene that produced X, Fear, the Circle Jerks and Black Flag. In 1977, they released a single, “Forming,” which is regarded by many to be the first punk record to come out of Los Angeles. The Germs disbanded in 1980, with Crash going on to form the Darby Crash Band, that didn’t last much longer than a handful of gigs. He got the Germs back together for a reunion show on December 3, 1980. Four days later he took his own life by overdosing on heroin in an apparent suicide pact with friend, Casey Cola who actually survived the OD. In 1981, Crash and the band were featured prominently in Penelope Spheeris’ acclaimed documentary on the L.A. punk scene, The Decline of Western Civilization.