Seems like this band has played too many memorials in the last two years.

It was at the memorial for the Cafe Racer shootings at The Neptune Theater that Daniel Adam Driskill told me he’d been diagnosed with brain cancer. It seemed like somehow, this special little community we’d built was disappearing around us that night, for all the wrong reasons. Ironically, this was happening on a night when so many of those bands in that community were playing to probably the biggest audience they’d ever played to.

The thought of Daniel not being in the front row of Bad Things shows, closing his eyes, bobbing his head, holding his beer to his chest, looking content and totally wrapped up in our songs, that’s the ultimate compliment you can pay to a musician, just listening and appreciating what you do. And Daniel gave that to us every time, for years, pretty much from the beginning. He made us feel special and for that, we all had a special place in our hearts for the guy. Reading the posts on his Facebook page, I see he had that effect on a lot of people and definitely with a lot of other bands. A true fan of the music. Tried and true.

Tomorrow, we will get together at The Highline on Capitol HIll with an army of fellow musicians and friends and family to remember this gem of a man. Folks like Bakelite 78, Bucharest Drinking Team, Chaotic Noise Marching Corps, Mongrel Annie, Melissa Cerise, Diva Le Deviant and more will be providing entertainment. Sure to be a big night of music, tears, memories, smiles, more tears, more beers and drunken singalongs….something Daniel loved. It’ll be strange not to see him swaying arm and arm with the drunks during “Death of the Inferno” but, you know what? I’m betting he’ll be there all the same. He wouldn’t miss it.

Love you buddy and we’ll see you on the other side.

P.S. If you’re coming to the show tomorrow, bring cash. His family and loved ones were left with some stiff hospital bills and expenses that need to be taken care of. All proceeds of the door are going to the cause but bring extra so that Daniel’s loved ones can focus on their grieving.

Daniel Adam Driskill in all his glory! Friday, January 13, 2012 at The Comet Tavern. Photo by Jon Roy.