GroovyStylie!

Jerry Fuchs with Maserati

Mel Mason and I had the privilege to see Jerry Fuchs play with Maserati when they were here in Tucson with MONO last month. There was a reason why he and his drums were front and center stage. He was a talented and charismatic drummer who was exciting to watch. I hope that you had a chance to see him in one of the many bands he played with over the years.  We received the following from his publicist today. He will be missed.

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Gerhardt “Jerry” Fuchs, beloved and respected drummer for The Juan MacLean, Holy Ghost!, Maserati, !!!, and Turing Machine, amongst others, passed away in the early hours on Sunday, November 8^th due to an unfortunate elevator accident that occurred in a Brooklyn loft building.  He was pronounced dead at Bellevue Medical Center, a few hours later.

Jerry was born on December 30, 1974 in Marietta, Georgia. After attending the University of Georgia for graphic design, he left for New York in 1995 to join the band Vineland. His achievements were numerous as he became a New York fixture in the music scene, providing incredibly complex and energetic drumbeats that elicited wide praise and excitement from fellow musicians, critics and friends. On the rare occasion that he was not touring, Jerry did graphic design work for publications such as Chunklet and Entertainment Weekly. Throughout all of his endeavors and successes, Jerry remained one of the most humble and down-to-earth artists anyone could meet. His smile, and loving energy will be missed dearly, as will his talent and contributions to the music scene.

Jerry’s family and friends request that you respect their privacy during this difficult time.

Statements from Jerry’s band mates, manager and DFA Records are below.

Juan MacLean
Jerry Fuchs was one of my best and most loyal friends.  In other situations it might seem trite or misguided to mention someone’s music career in light of such a tragic death, but the truth is that music was an integral part of our relationship.  Jerry was with me from the beginning of The Juan MacLean.  The band allowed us to travel the world doing something we loved more than anything, and we constantly reminded ourselves how lucky we were, pushing each other to appreciate the life we were living when things got tough.

It is not hyperbole to say that Jerry was the absolute best at what he did.  He was a legendary drummer.  Other drummers revered him and fans were astounded by his playing.  He was always the best part of any band of his which he was a member.  And in light of all that, he was relentlessly humble to the point of self-deprecation.  He exuded qualities that are are rare in the circles he travelled.  He was disarmingly sincere and valued honesty above all else.

I have never played with anyone as great as Jerry.  I would be hard pressed to name a more supportive and loyal friend.  I hope his family finds some bit of solace in the fact that Jerry touched the lives of so many all across the world, as evidenced by the outpouring of support and condolences come flooding in.

Jonathan Galkin – DFA
Today was a really bad day, Jerry, and I could have used one of those big sweaty hugs you gave after a show, when you were genuinely excited and surprised to see me. “Galkin, what the fuck are YOU doing here?!”, you would exclaim, as if i didn’t ever attend the live shows from bands on my own label. You were truly one of a kind, and whether you knew it or not, people wanted to be in the same room as you, or near the same room as you, because maybe just maybe, some of that radiant joy and in-the-moment spirit you exuded would rub off on them.  You didn’t take it all with you, because there are a lot of people today who are going to feel mighty responsible to carry and spread that joy with them for the rest of the time they have here. And who knows now how long that might be.  You were a really good drummer, some might say the best we had, but you were a greater friend. I love you and miss you, Jerry.

Brian Long – Yes Know Management
Jerry cast an incredible glow on every situation he entered into. It was an honor to work with him. His drumming skills were truly a gift which he used to connect with many people. This is what musicians are put on earth to do. Jerry embodied this to the fullest. He will be missed but remembered with a smile and a laugh.

MONO (Tokyo, Japan), Maserati (Athens, GA) @ Club Congress

MONO

As a kid I used to dream about having the ability to affect weather patterns. In the limitless, imaginative, temporary state called childhood, even the impossible seemed within reach. Despite the fact that I’ve grown into a control-freakish adult, I’ve let go of the weather fantasy. I honestly hadn’t thought about it for years until Mono, shoegaze rock phenoms from Japan, awakened the idea from its decades-old hibernating state.

To describe the sounds at a Mono concert, I continually rely on meteorological terms. The four-member silent tribe, three of which are seated, play a gentle bit of guitar with slow, savory taps on the snare and high-hat cymbal, reminiscent of a light rain. The bass is subtle, and the band members sway a bit, as if caught up in a breeze. There’s an inevitable build-up, a crescendo of guitars and rhythm, a brewing sonic storm, and the release knocks you on your knees, hurricane-style. The thunder makes its way towards the audience with the final roaring clap as the bolts draw eerily and uncomfortably close. They play a loud show like no one else, and not ostentatiously so. Congress, while not the ideal venue for Mono, managed to handle the wall of gorgeous noise in fine form. The ample crowd was in awe, and even though I was detached and stressed out and conversing with friends that particular evening, the force of their music drew me back countless times. This is a band I can’t ignore.

For ten years, Mono has endured a break-neck tour pace and managed to record 5 full-length albums, a singles collection, and various collaborative projects. They are a no-nonsense, bottomless well of beautifully crafted songs. Their latest release, Hymn To The Immortal Wind, incorporates stunning orchestral arrangements. They include the entirety of the human life cycle in their work. Much how storms develop and dissipate, their shows remind me of my youth, the present, and how one day death will come. They know how to manipulate my mind, and that’s how I know they are incredibly powerful. It seems they’ve found a way to control the weather. And even if that’s not true, it feels good to be thinking along those lines once again.      –Mel Mason

MONO – Silent Fight, Sleeping Dawn MP3

Maserati – Monoliths MP3