Derf Scratch, original bassist for notoriously violent California punk band Fear, has died. While details are scarce, Scratch passed away on July 28 following a lengthy illness, according to a post on the Anti- blog. His age was unknown at this point.
Scratch founded Fear with Lee Ving in 1977, staying with the band until 1982. Along with shaping their sound and offbeat sense of humour, he was also in the band for their notorious Saturday Night Live performance in 1981. Personally invited by John Belushi, their performance was cut short when a group of punks, bussed in to slam dance during the songs, destroyed the set. A video of the performance can be viewed here.
Following his time in Fear, Scratch continued to play music up until his death. Anti- suggests that he may have had a master's degree in music. They also link to an interview with Scratch conducted in 2004, which can be read here.
Scratch founded Fear with Lee Ving in 1977, staying with the band until 1982. Along with shaping their sound and offbeat sense of humour, he was also in the band for their notorious Saturday Night Live performance in 1981. Personally invited by John Belushi, their performance was cut short when a group of punks, bussed in to slam dance during the songs, destroyed the set. A video of the performance can be viewed here.
Following his time in Fear, Scratch continued to play music up until his death. Anti- suggests that he may have had a master's degree in music. They also link to an interview with Scratch conducted in 2004, which can be read here.