Tag: RIP

I debated posting this on my music site but I felt the need to share. On March 17th, St. Patrick’s Day, my wife, Charis Jones went home to be with the Lord. She was tragically taken from me after a nearly month and a half in 2 different hospitals battling end stage liver failure which had several complications of its own. Read on for my full story, her story actually. We lay her to rest next Wednesday and I know it’ll be an incredibly tough day.… Continued →

The world of Christian music has lost a true icon. Michael Knott was confirmed dead yesterday, March 12th. Knott was a true pioneer in independent Christian music, leading a plethora of bands, dabbling in multiple genres, engaging prolific solo work, in addition to being a visual artist. Starting in the 1980s, Knott joined existing band Lifesavors, a Southern California power pop/new wave band, but later took leadership of the band. Initially Knott continued the new wave direction, but things took a darker shade in 1987 when he rebranded the outfit LifeSavers Underground and released one of the most influential album our scene ever produced, Shaded Pain.… Continued →

Many fitting tributes have been written about the one and only, the mighty drummer/musician/song-writer/animal rights activist Ted Kirkpatrick. So much has been said about his life, his music, and his impact that I can’t really add much here. Ted’s incredible musicianship is impossible to overstate. He was revered even by the most ardent anti-religion folks, for his musicality alone, including folks like King Diamond and Marty Friedman. While I never got to meet Ted, I did have the chance to see Tourniquet live once. It was their first tour with Luke Easter as the new lead vocalist.… Continued →

It is unfortunate news I bring you all today. Our music scene just lost two tremendous musicians and faithful servants. Michael Bloodgood who is the namesake and founding member of a legendary heavy metal band called Bloodgood that had quite a few huge albums release during the 80’s that shared Truth and Faith in a very real way through their songs and music. The band made a return about 10 years ago and released the fabulous, epic Christian Metal album “Dangerously Close” in 2013. Michael suffered a hemorrhagic stroke back in February and subsequent brain bleed that followed.… Continued →

If you’ve been around the Christian punk/metal/hardcore/indie scene for any amount of time, you will likely have heard the name Burrito. Not his real name, of course–the man David Villalpando was a legend in the underground scene. Sadly, the man that many called a friend passed away this week from covid-related illness. For those who didn’t know him, it is difficult to overstate his impact on the scene. From a musical standpoint, while none of his projects ever achieved mainstream success or financial prosperity, they were always on the bleeding edge of innovation.… Continued →

Mike May who was the lead vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter for the east coast punk band – A Common Goal, tragically passed away last week. His wife and kids need our help and prayers at this very difficult moment. The family has posted a GoFundMe campaign right here. All funds raised on GoFundMe will directly benefit the May family. Thumper Punk and Indie Vision Music will release an upcoming BENEFIT COMPILATION through bandcamp featuring some great bands with all funds going direct to the May family.… Continued →

I bring you unfortunate news today. Loving father and well regarded scene veteran and minister, Skip Brooks, has just lost his battle with Cancer. He leaves behind a loving wife and children. To help with funeral costs, friends of Skip have launched a special set of Memorial Shirts in his honor. Check out the shirts right here and purchase one to help pay for hospital bills and funeral costs. All money raised from the sale of these specials shirts will go to the family to help pay these costs.… Continued →

Long live Sleeping Giant! Check out this very cool new Sleeping Giant music video for their song “Preachcore Lives!” of the album “I AM” (Facedown Records). This music video features footage from their final show at Chain Reaction recently. Watch the video below.… Continued →

I wrote this piece for my Grandfather’s funeral that took place on Friday. In case you didn’t know, my grandfather went into the hospital about 3 weeks ago because of a collapsed lung from a biopsy procedure the week before. They went in to remove the cancerous tumor a few days later and discovered that the cancer had already spread throughout his body. The family decided to let him come home with hospice care and live out his final days. His health deteriorated quite quick and he passed away on August 15th at his home.… Continued →

Happy 10 year anniversary to the Dismissed “Taking the Good With the Bad Album”, released in March of 2003 on Indie Vision Music. Not too many people know who this band was but they held a special place in my heart. I once saw them open up for Fall Out Boy to a venue of maybe 100 people max in 2003. It’s funny when you think of where one band went and the direction of the other band. I’ve learned a lot in 10 years but I still look back with fondness on those Dismissed guys and their music.… Continued →