15 replies to this topic

[fatguyaz]

John was the sound guy for a long time at the old Nitas but worked a ton of clubs in town at one time or another. Best sound guy i ever saw... When i was in Fivespeed, we took him out on the road, his first time touring, and he fell in love with it. He then worked for Finch, and a ton of other bands traveling quite a bit. He was a good friend who fell into some bad drug problems years ago and had since cleaned himself up, got married and was doing well again. He died after running his truck into a guardrail and flipping over a bunch of times. He was alone, and it was in the middle of the day. No toxicology report yet. He has a son who is about 8 now. It's been several years since i've talked to him, and really regret not trying harder to find him again... Gonna miss you, Pickles.

[aaronburke]

no. fucking. way.

[donald]

Holy Crap, I am very sorry to hear about this.

I didn't know him that well, but I definitely remember him and thought he was a very cool dude.

My heart goes out to his family and loved ones

[Tender Lad]

When I was running sound at Bash on Ash I remember him coming in to run Fivespeed's set. A nice dude who knew his stuff.

[jeremx]

he did sound for the clubhouse when maria and i were there. super genuine dude who always had a smile on his face. this truly is a bummer.

shittiest summer on record continues on.

[differently biotic]

oh wow. Freaking sad. I think I even have some pictures on my camera of him.

[billy]

Fuck. My heart and thoughts go out to his family. R.i.p. John. Very sad...

[Jacki O.]

RIP

[HNIC]

John was a really nice person who I always enjoyed bumping into. Very sad indeed.

[innerear]

This is extremely sad...  I hadn't seen him in a couple years but he was an awesome guy that would make me smile during our random run ins.

[guitarduane]

john made every band sound good. i remember being upset with finch when he went on tour with them because it meant he would not be doing sound at nita's. great sound guy, great guy.

any word on funeral arrangements?

[fatguyaz]

john made every band sound good. i remember being upset with finch when he went on tour with them because it meant he would not be doing sound at nita's. great sound guy, great guy.

any word on funeral arrangements?

It was in PA yesterday.

[marina tsamis]

John spoke proudly of his days doing sound & touring. I grew up w john & eventually our friendship turned into marriage. I struggled w him for a long time bc despite his problems he truly was an amazing person. I, too will miss his beautiful smile. Thank u for taking a moment to say some sage words about the love of my life.

[mantra]

I met John a few months after moving to Tempe.  We had only a few mutual friends, but over the years, we became good friends.  Most of the time, I would stop by his house after class, and help him with Zane.  Not that he needed help, John was one of the best fathers I've ever known.  You only had to hear John speak of Zane to know how much he loved his son.  He was a remarkable father.  He was a remarkable friend as well.  I would've trusted him with my life, and known with certainty, it was in good hands.  I hadn't seen John in over 3 yrs.  I moved to Texas, got married, and was pregnant.  About 2 years ago he called me and said he had just moved back.  He was excited for me (being pregnant,) and he told me all about Marina.  For the first time in a long time, John sounded happy.  Really and truly happy.  To Marina, I would say that while I never met you, I thank you for giving John that happiness.  This is very hard for me.  While I hadn't spoken to John in 2 yrs, for some reason, last week, I had to talk to him.  I was excited to show him pictures of my daughter, and to hear about Zane and his new life.  I searched the internet, only to find his obituary and learn that I was 10 days too late to reconnect. I am stunned and in shock.  I feel like John wanted me to know about his death.  Yes, John struggled with his own problems, but who doesn't have demons in their closet?  We all do.  What matters is how you deal with them.  Do you let them make you a lesser person, or do you try to make yourself a better person despite it?  John was certainly a better person despite his problems.  I think if anything,it gave him more compassion towards others.  When I think about what John would want, I think he would want his family to know how much he loved them.  Sweet Zane, light of his life.  Marina, breathing in new life.  And his mother, who gave him life, and never gave up on him.  All his family, that he spoke of often and with praise. I know that I am a better person because of John and his friendship.  I think I will try to do a month of good deeds in his name.  Maybe plant some trees in honor of my dear friend, John.   - Heather Williamson (Canyon Lake, TX)

[Folofo]

Aw man....i remember talking to him about music and stuff.. he was such a nice guy. So sorry to hear!