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Drummer left mark on local music scene
| Message Board > General Chitchat > Drummer left mark on local music scene |
| _Griphin_ User Info... |  (ISLAND LIVES) DRUMMER LEFT MARK ON LOCAL MUSIC SCENE By Mark Devlin Times Colonist Staff A girlfriend has lost a partner, a family its kin and a young girl her dad. And for the hundreds of musicians who knew him - even the players who didn't - the local music community is now without one of its biggest supporters. Popular drummer Jason Brown, who died last week at 36 after a lengthy battle with cancer, was a music fan right to the end. He was diagnosed last year with multiple tumours in his lungs, chest and liver, and was undergoing chemotherapy. He was in and out of the hospital in recent months, but despite his condition, Brown managed to make an appearance for a Nov. 25 concert at the Sunset Room, an all-ages venue behind Value Village at the end of Herald street. His surprise showing was "classic Jay Brown," according to close friend and former bandmate Tyler Forslund. "He was pretty run down, pretty skinny and not looking himself, and he walked right in the door without saying anything to anyone. He immediately goes to the front of the stage and starts watching. And he didn't talk to anybody until the band stopped playing." His condition worsened shortly thereafter. The gig was the final show he attended. Brown, who drummed for local skatepunk act Alcoholic White Trash, was the guy you'd find at any number of local shows of any genre - though he preferred metal and punk - watched intently, "no matter who it was," Forslund says. He was always fixed to the front of the stage, watching with an intensity that was renowned around these parts. Even if he hated your band, if Brown was your friend, he would be there to support you. "So many people over the years have given up on the scene. Either they grow up, or give up playing music. But Jay always stood by local music. "And he was loved for that," Forslund says of his former bandmate in the local punk act The Hoosegow. "If you played in a heavy band, you were bound to meet Jay Brown sooner or later. It didn't matter whether it was good or bad, he would be there checking it out, telling you what he thought." His death January 29th sent a lightning bolt through the local music community, though most were prepared for it. He was given a year to live by doctors in 1999, but survived the Cancer. He had a relapse in 2004, which eventually went into remission, but in early 2006 he was re-diagnosed as terminal. There was a testy, difficult side to Brown, when his friends fully admit. He was street tough, and always frank. He kept the peace at local punk concerts, and when prompted he often let his fists do the talking. But even then, Brown always spoke from the heart. Few had it in them to hold a grudge against the charismatic drummer and former bartender. It has been said that a rose tattoo Brown had inked on his arm was the perfect emblem, because he often came out smelling like one. Brown leaves behind his girlfriend, Angela Morris, and a 10-year-old daughter, Nadja, from a previous relationship. He hadn't seen his Edmonton-based daughter in years, but she joined Brown in August for his final tour behind the drumkit. Seeing the two together at Alcoholic White Trash concerts in Victoria, Campbell River and Nanaimo was heart-warming, Forslund remembers. "He had the happiest look on his face. It is one I will never forget." At Brown's request, no public service will be held. However, tonight (February 8th, 2007) at Vancouver nightclub The Cobalt, Alcoholic White Trash will perform a memorial concert in his honour. A Victoria concert is in the works, according to organizers. Visit livevictoria.com for details. - Fri, 9 Feb 2007 12:02pm Edited: Fri, 9 Feb 2007 12:04pm | ||
| Tyler User Info... | wow, I haven't seen this in print but this is cool his last show was cordell's sunset room show? wow! - Fri, 9 Feb 2007 2:00pm | ||
| Yo Mama User Info... | Just thought I'd post this because Griph's version is missing a bunch of stuff. Mike Devlin, Times Colonist Published: Friday, February 09, 2007 A girlfriend has lost a partner, a family its kin and a young girl her dad. And for the hundreds of musicians who knew him -- even the players who didn't -- the local music community is now without one of its biggest supporters. Popular drummer Jason Brown, who died last week at 36 after a lengthy battle with cancer, was a music fan right to the end. He was diagnosed last year with multiple tumours in his lungs, chest and liver, and was undergoing chemotherapy. He was in and out of the hospital in recent months, but despite his condition, Brown managed to make an appearance for a Nov. 25 concert at the Sunset Room, an all-ages venue behind Value Village at the end of Herald Street. His surprise showing was "classic Jay Brown," according to close friend and former bandmate Tyler Forslund. "He was pretty run down, pretty skinny and not looking himself, and he walked right in the door without saying anything to anyone. He immediately goes to the front of the stage and starts watching. And he didn't talk to anybody until the band stopped playing." His condition worsened shortly thereafter. The gig was the final show he attended. Brown, who drummed for local skate-punk act Alcoholic White Trash, was the guy you'd find at any number of local shows of any genre -- though he preferred metal and punk -- watching intently, "no matter who it was," Forslund says. He was always fixed to the front of the stage, watching with an intensity that was renowned around these parts. Even if he hated your band, if Brown was your friend, he would be there to support you. "So many people over the years have given up on the scene. Either they grow up, or give up playing music. But Jay always stood by local music. "And he was loved for that," Forslund says of his former bandmate in the local punk act The Hoosegow. "If you played in a heavy band, you were bound to meet Jay Brown sooner or later. It didn't matter whether it was good or bad, he would be there checking it out, telling you what he thought." His death Jan. 29 sent a lightning bolt through the local music community, though most were prepared for it. He was given a year to live by doctors in 1999, but survived the cancer. He had a relapse in 2004, which eventually went into remission, but in early 2006 he was re-diagnosed as terminal. After a while, cancer became the butt of Brown's jokes, Forslund says. "For a long time -- and we're talking years now -- as far as the cancer was concerned, it was a big joke. He would make himself T-shirts that read: 'I've got terminal cancer, how the fuck do you think my day is?' " Brown was an active member of online music community, LiveVictoria. com, a website dedicated to the Victoria music scene. The site became a therapeutic outlet for Brown, who talked openly about his condition, even starting a discussion titled "Cancer Sucks." The thread ignited the message board, and drew an outpouring of support from fans and friends both here and in his native Vancouver. To date, the LiveVictoria.com threads associated with Brown and his death have been viewed more than 80,000 times. There was a testy, difficult side to Brown, which his friends fully admit. He was street tough, and always frank. He kept the peace at local punk concerts, and when prompted he often let his fists do the talking. But even then, Brown always spoke from the heart. Few had it in them to hold a grudge against the charismatic drummer and former bartender. It has been said that a rose tattoo Brown had inked on his arm was the perfect emblem, because he often came out smelling like one. Brown leaves behind his girlfriend, Angela Morris, and a 10-year-old daughter, Nadja, from a previous relationship. He hadn't seen his Edmonton-based daughter in years, but she joined Brown in August for his final tour behind the drumkit. Seeing the two together at Alcoholic White Trash concerts in Victoria, Campbell River and Nanaimo was heartwarming, Forslund remembers. "He had the happiest look on his face. It is one I will never forget." At Brown's request, no public service will be held. However, tonight at Vancouver nightclub the Cobalt, Alcoholic White Trash will perform a memorial concert in his honour. A Victoria concert is in the works, according to organizers.Visit http://www.livevictoria.com for details. - Fri, 9 Feb 2007 2:29pm | ||
| Sati User Info... | Just a note: The Cobalt memorial isn't til next Friday, Feb 16. - Fri, 9 Feb 2007 2:37pm Edited: Fri, 9 Feb 2007 2:38pm | ||
| _Griphin_ User Info... | Wow, I did miss like 5 paragraphs, I must of overlooked something (this is what happens when I'm just waking up and I'm tired). Sigh, how embarassing! - Fri, 9 Feb 2007 4:15pm Edited: Fri, 9 Feb 2007 4:30pm | ||
| Ty Stranglehold User Info... | His last show was the Hillside Whorehouse Benefit in November. I like the story a lot, although I though other people were going to be interviewed as well. Ah well. the only other things (besides the date of the Cobalt wake) are Alcoholic White Trash being called a "skate punk" band and his shirt actually read: "I've got terminal cancer, how's your fuckin' day" All in all it was a great peice and I want to thank Mike for doing it. Ty - Sat, 10 Feb 2007 9:26am | ||
| Mean Mike User Info... | and I thought Mike Devlin recently kidnapped some kids in Missouri or some shite.. - Sat, 10 Feb 2007 1:29pm | ||
| Ty Stranglehold User Info... | That's the power of the internet. You can write articles from your jail cell. EDIT: JOKES PEOPLE! I'm getting called and asked if Mike Devlin is really in jail. lol - Sat, 10 Feb 2007 4:32pm Edited: Sat, 10 Feb 2007 6:44pm | ||
| Swingin' Joe User Info... | I never formally met Jay Brown, I would see him chatting up Dickie at Pair O' Dice from time to time, that's pretty much it. But I have to say I really enjoyed this article, it was well written and it seemed to capture the essence of who Jay Brown really was. He seemed to be a pretty well loved dude. My condolences to his lady, family and all those who were friends with him. May the man rest in peace. - Sun, 11 Feb 2007 1:40pm | ||
| _Griphin_ User Info... | Is he? - Sun, 11 Feb 2007 8:05pm Edited: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 10:40pm | ||
| ScumFucBondage User Info... | thats pretty sweet. I have to find me this paper. and skatepunk?....whatever its the news paper. - Sun, 11 Feb 2007 11:37pm | ||
| Pierce User Info... | Its great that TC has put an article out about Jay. However.. " it was well written"???? I dont think it was.....Skatepunk? Memorial gig was last week, on the 8th? His last show was at the Sunset? I am glad to see it there, but really...Between CH and TC, our journalist are the SHITS! Rock In Peace JAY!@ We all knew you werent Skatepunk.! - Mon, 12 Feb 2007 7:45am | ||
| Mean Mike User Info... | "EDIT: JOKES PEOPLE! I'm getting called and asked if Mike Devlin is really in jail. lol " Guess some people dont watch the news ;) A guy named Michael Devlin who was charged with kidnapping in the states a few weeks ago is not the same as our local reporter. There's also a Mike Devlin website where you can download tools to change your XP Key.. again, different guy. - Mon, 12 Feb 2007 11:52am Edited: Mon, 12 Feb 2007 11:52am | ||
| Sati User Info... | Holy crap, give it a rest you guys. This isn't the time to start picking on one another. Its tough to get everything perfect, and print publications don't have luxury of time or being online where they can edit or be corrected so no one gets offended. And sheesh, no one WANTS an obituary to be less than perfect. The small errors are obviously just unfortunate. Pretty cool that a lot more people got to learn what an impact Jay's made, thats the important thing. - Mon, 12 Feb 2007 12:18pm Edited: Mon, 12 Feb 2007 12:19pm | ||
| Sati User Info... | p.s. I cannot believe someone thought your jokes were serious! (OMG, you all must be in some serious shit after all these years on livevic) - Mon, 12 Feb 2007 12:23pm Edited: Mon, 12 Feb 2007 12:23pm | ||
| Ty Stranglehold User Info... | Pierce: The peice was well written. I outlined the mistakes that were made and they were minor ones. Let me clear this up for you. The article said the last gig Jay went to was at the Sunset Room (as in to watch, not to play). This is true. It said the AWT was a skatepunk band. That part is wrong, but Jay himself did play in the skatepunk band The Hoosegow for 4 years. Easily confusable in conversation. And yes, Jay skated until a doctor told him to choose between skating and druming. I think we all can agree that he made the right choice. It said the Cobalt gig was last week. Yep, that's a mistake albeit a minor one. Anyone who was planning on going over for it would have already known when it is. I'd like to reiterate that the article was well written, and Mike Devlin deserves a big thanks for getting Jay's story out there. I miss him. - Mon, 12 Feb 2007 3:32pm Edited: Mon, 12 Feb 2007 3:32pm | ||
| _Griphin_ User Info... | That's cool I was at the last gig Jason went to. It's too bad we couldn't see him play one last time (or perhaps he did and I missed it). - Mon, 12 Feb 2007 4:27pm | ||
| ScumFucBondage User Info... | yeah my buddy has the artical. its cool, i was at his last gig he palyed in naniamo. Also at the last one he went to (which was such a sick show thanks for puttng it on you guys). dunno if its too early to tell but is AWT still gonna go on? Cause I'm a HUGE fan, and would like to see them even for a last show kinda thing. - Mon, 12 Feb 2007 8:27pm | ||
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