Jason Matthew Thirsk
Official Statement From Pennywise:
On July 29th, Jason Thirsk, the original bass player, songwriter
& founding member of Pennywise died of what is considered to be a self-inflicted
accidental gunshot wound. Although he was not performing with the band recently, his
spirit was always with us & we hoped for him to return to the line-up soon. Jason's
positive & uplifiting lyrics are what defined our band, and attracted fans to
Pennywise all over the world. We loved him very much & he will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made "in memory of Jason Thirsk" to:
Hermosa Beach Police Department D.A.R.E. Program 540 Pier Ave. Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
--PENNYWISE
Music News of The World:
Former Pennywise bassist Jason
Thirsk is dead of a gunshot wound. The body of the young musician, who had recently parted
ways with the popular hardcore punk combo, was discovered at his Hermosa Beach home by his
girlfriend on Monday evening (July 30). He was 27 years old. The body was found in the
backyard, according to a Reuters report. Police believe it was a suicide. Thirsk had been
depressed since leaving Pennywise--singer Jim Lindberg, guitarist Fletcher Dragee and
drummer Byron McMackin--som e months ago, according to Detective Raul Saldana of the
Hermosa police department. A spokeswoman at Epitaph Records, the L. A. record label that
the band records for, said Thirsk was drunk when he died and his death was considered
accidental. Saldana sai d "alcohol and stuff" was found at the time of death; a
toxicology report will be released in a few weeks. Thirsk co-wrote songs with vocalist Jim
Lindberg. He left the band because he didn't like to tour, but according to Epitaph, he
was still considered a member of the band. Pennywise's most recent album, About Time, was
released last year; it featured a time bomb on the cover. Based on the group's success to
date, they are thought to be ready for the kind of broader success experienced by The
Offspring (a former Epitaph band now signed to Columbia records) and Rancid.
From Ambraham Lincoln:
The better part of one's life concist of their friendships.
--AMBRAHAM LINCOLN
Back to
