Alex Brown of New York hardcore-punk outfit Gorilla Biscuits, as well as Side By Side and Project X, died Saturday, February 2nd, as confirmed by the band’s singer Anthony “Civ” Civarelli.
“The world lost a son,brother,uncle,artist,musician and loving friend this week,” the vocalist remembered in a Facebook post. “I lost my bandmate and friend of over 30 years, a piece of my heart died this week and all I can do is think of all the fun, shows, meals flights and trips we had together. All the late night talks and all the early morning hangs with him and my wife and kids. There will never be another Alex Brown. A memorial service will be held in Iowa in the coming weeks.” He implores fans to “tell the ones you love that you love them” before adding that the cause of death was natural, stemming from “a basal ganglia stroke.”
In addition to his tenure in the bands listed above, Brown also co-owned the short-lived record label Schism with Project X bandmate and Youth of Today guitarist John Porcell in the late 1980s. Brown’s career extended beyond music, though, as he was an active painter who graduated from Parsons School of Design in 1991 and showed in solo and group shows around the world, including his most recent one-person show “Common Scents” at NYC gallery Feature, Inc. in 2012.
Another of Brown’s bandmates in Gorilla Biscuits, bassist Arthur Smilios, paid tribute, as well. “I’m going to miss you, Alex. This sums up how you made me feel,” he captioned a touching onstage photo. “I love you, buddy. Completely heartbroken. Stage Right is going to suck.” Gorilla Biscuits guitarist and Quicksand frontman Walter Schreifels also chimed in social media. “It’s impossible to properly put into words, completely new terrain,” he wrote on Instagram. “Alex has been my brother since we were teenagers, it’s insane to think I won’t see him again, this is heartbreak. I’ve read so many beautiful posts about Alex today that have brought me to tears. It feels great to see Alex recognized as the great artist, musician and visionary that he was. He’s been a go to source of inspiration, insight, loving support and cry laughing hilarity to me since we first starting hanging out …” See that posts below, as well as tributes from an array of bands influenced by Brown.
RIP Alex Brown. We had the pleasure and honor of getting to know you a few years ago and your kindness was so radiant and true. All my our love and condolences to Gorilla Biscuits and extended NYHC family. pic.twitter.com/Sv8P8gW4n4
— Touche Amore (@ToucheAmore) February 2, 2019