Gabe Serbian — the artist best known as the drummer and longtime member of the Locust — has died. Serbian's April 30 passing was announced by his band yesterday (May 1), though a cause of death was not revealed. He was 44.
"This world will miss Gabe as a friend, family member, musician, and artist," the Locust wrote in their statement. "He will continue to live on in so many ways and through everyone he has connected with during his time with us. May 1st is his birthday, and we hope that you can find a way to celebrate his life.
During this difficult time we ask that you give Gabe's family privacy."
The Locust frontman Justin Pearson shared of Serbian in a respective statement, "He was unlike any other human being I have encountered. He was the rarest of the rare. I like to think he and I had shared telepathy through music. He will be with me every single time I am on stage for the rest of my life. I am grateful for every second we shared together on this planet. I already miss him more than imaginable. I will miss him forever."
California deathgrind crew Cattle Decapitation, of which Serbian was a co-founder, wrote in tribute, "Its difficult to put into words the loss of someone who was such a talent and dear friend to so, so many. He was one of the real ones. We will miss you so much, Gabe."
Serbian joined the Locust in 1998 as a guitarist, in time to record the group's self-titled debut that year. He would move behind the drumkit in 2001, playing that instrument on 2003 sophomore follow-up Plague Soundscapes and 2007's New Erections.
Outside of the Locust, Serbian and Pearson also performed and recorded with Dead Cross, Head Wound City, Retox and Holy Molar.
Serbian is survived by his wife and two children. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched by bandmate Pearson to benefit the late musician's family.
"This world will miss Gabe as a friend, family member, musician, and artist," the Locust wrote in their statement. "He will continue to live on in so many ways and through everyone he has connected with during his time with us. May 1st is his birthday, and we hope that you can find a way to celebrate his life.
During this difficult time we ask that you give Gabe's family privacy."
The Locust frontman Justin Pearson shared of Serbian in a respective statement, "He was unlike any other human being I have encountered. He was the rarest of the rare. I like to think he and I had shared telepathy through music. He will be with me every single time I am on stage for the rest of my life. I am grateful for every second we shared together on this planet. I already miss him more than imaginable. I will miss him forever."
California deathgrind crew Cattle Decapitation, of which Serbian was a co-founder, wrote in tribute, "Its difficult to put into words the loss of someone who was such a talent and dear friend to so, so many. He was one of the real ones. We will miss you so much, Gabe."
Serbian joined the Locust in 1998 as a guitarist, in time to record the group's self-titled debut that year. He would move behind the drumkit in 2001, playing that instrument on 2003 sophomore follow-up Plague Soundscapes and 2007's New Erections.
Outside of the Locust, Serbian and Pearson also performed and recorded with Dead Cross, Head Wound City, Retox and Holy Molar.
Serbian is survived by his wife and two children. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched by bandmate Pearson to benefit the late musician's family.