Teddy Days was a bassist who is best remembered for his time playing bass in Los Angeles speed metal pioneers, Hellion. Days played in the band for a short period during the early ’90s and appeared in a rough cut of a video in the works for “Stormrider,” a track from their 1991 release, The Black Book. It is unclear if he actually played on the song and album. According to a Facebook post by Hellion’s Ann Boleyn, Teddy Days, 48, passed away on July 10, 2013. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Peppie Marchello was the front man of the group Rolling Stone once called “the world’s most famous unknown band,” Long Island, New York’s the Good Rats. Formed while Marchello was in college during 1964, the group, originally called U-Men, achieved moderate success but remained largely a cult band throughout their run. In 1969, now going by the Good Rats, they released their self-titled debut which was followed by their most popular album, 1974’s Tasty. Meanwhile, the band built a sizable following thanks to their live performances fronted by the charismatic Marchello. More solid albums followed throughout the ’70s and ’80s along with key opening slots for the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Aerosmith, Rush, and KISS, but none of that was quite enough to push the band beyond cult status – to the amazement of many. Since then, Marchello continued on with one variation of the band or another right up until the time of his passing. He also spent some years performing, writing and producing with his son, Gene Marchello under the band name, Popzarocca. On July 10, 2013, Peppie Marchello suffered a fatal heart attack. He was 68.
Alan Myers is best remembered as the drummer for Devo during their most successful period. Brought into the fold to replace Jim Mothersbaugh in 1976, Myers played on Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo and Freedom of Choice. Are We Not Men reached #14 on the Billboard charts and spawned the band’s biggest hit, “Whip It.”. By 1987, Myers had left the group to pursue other musical interests. He went on to play with such bands as Babooshka, Jean Paul Yamamoto, Skyline Electric, and Swahili Blonde. Alan Myers lost his battle with cancer on June 24, 2013.
Kevin McDade was the bassist and lead singer of the up-and-coming Los Angeles stoner metal band, Behold! The Monolith. With a sound influenced by such acts as Celtic Frost, Motorhead and Black Sabbath, Behold! The Monolith were no strangers to positive press from the likes of Decibel, Terrorizer, blabbermouth.net and Metal Hammer. They self-released their debut EP in 2008 and their self-titled full-length album in 2009 Defender, Redeemist in 2012. McDade had been part of the trio since 2007. Kevin McDade was killed in a car accident on June 22, 2013.
Alastair Donaldson is perhaps best remembered as the bassist – though under the moniker William Mysterious, for the Scottish punk/new wave band, the Rezillos. Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Donaldson picked up the bass at an early age and in 1975, joined Silly Wizard, a folk band. He soon left the group to join the Rezillos, one of punk rock’s first generation bands. Initially working as the group’s saxophonist, Donaldson soon switched to bass. One Donaldson disciple, J Mascis once noted that his contributions to Can’t Stand The Rezillos could very well be the best bass playing ever from any recording from the storied Sire Records catalog. That album – the band’s first and only studio release – reached #16 on the UK charts and has been called one of the best 50 punk albums from the original era. The LP spawned three charting singles in England. Following its release, the Rezillos landed the opening slot for the Ramones UK tour after which, Donaldson left the group. The Rezillos broke up on 1978 but quickly regrouped with new members as the Revillos and released Rev Up in 1979. Donaldson played on that album put parted ways with the band for good in 1980. He went on to release one single under the name, William Mysterious with Alastair Donaldson, in 1982, but stayed semi-retired from music for the remainder of his life. Alastair Donaldson was 58 when he passed away on June 18, 2013. Cause of death was not immediately released.