Chuck Biscuits Dies At 44

UPDATE: See end of story.

We’ve had way too many losses this year and many of those deaths have been in the music industry. We could list all the legends we’ve unfortunately written about for passing away in 2009, but to minimize the low feelings we won’t.

Today, we recently discovered hardcore hero and drummer, Chuck Biscuits, died at the 44 years old on Saturday after he lost a lengthy battle with throat cancer.

Biscuits (born Charles Montgomery) is mainly known for his work in Danzig (he’s the blond one in the photo above), but has contributed his skills to other bands like Black Flag and even Run-D.M.C. His style was very distinct and his talent did not go unnoticed in the music industry.

In an obituary written by freelance writer, James Greene Jr., a statement from an anonymous family member announced the following in an e-mail:

“In response to the inquires, thank you for all the support. Chuck did not survive his battle with throat cancer. He passed surrounded by his family on 10/24/09.”

Biscuit played on Danzig’s first four albums and those albums, specifically, went on to be the four most favorite Danzig albums according to fans. He then lent a hand to Run-D.M.C.’s album, Tougher Than Leather. Afterward he went back to hardcore for a bit playing with major groups such as D.O.A., Black Flag and Social Distortion. However, before playing with Social Distortion he also bounced around among smaller bands such as Circle Jerks, Fear, and the Weirdos.

Biscuit’s friend and Descendents drummer, Bill Stevenson, had the following to say about him:

“Chuck was one of the best of the original wave of punk drummers. His style was easily recognizable, and he seemed to have just a ton of extra energy when playing drums. He is one of those people who did not have to practice a lot to play really well [...]It came very natural to him. He was hugely influential without really being as ‘famous’ as drummers who were actually much less influential musically.”

It is still unknown who the drummer is survived by, but we do wish all his friends and families well.

Check out a few videos in remembrance of Chuck Biscuit:

[via Brooklyn Vegan]

UPDATE: Chuck Biscuits… is still alive?

With this mere obituary floating around, many people are reporting that Biscuits has not died but has just gone off the grid. It ultimately turns out that the e-mails sent to freelance writer, James Green Jr., was a very cruel hoax.

Many publications including us jumped on sharing the supposedly unfortunately news, and we apologize for not getting further confirmation.

The original article has now spawned another piece reporting that Biscuits is alive and well after receiving news from the drummer’s brother, Bob Montgomery, earlier today:

“I just wanted to let you know that Chuck [Biscuits] is alive and as well as can be expected. I drove to his home in Seattle [from Canada] to confirm that fact. The only reason I put any stock in the Internet rumours was because [James Greene, Jr.] used Chucks wife’s name [in private e-mails] Otherwise, I would have filed it under the African ruler looking for money to enlarge his penis file. I am really curious as to who’s been sending [him] this info.”

Green Jr., himself, had the following to say:

“I never had any reason to distrust the people in question. No serious flags were raised. Who would pretend to be a dying hard rock drummer for a half a year? There was no monetary gain, and I have no journalistic stature. There seemed to be no angle for this, other than to hurt and embarrass me (mission accomplished). Thus, I took these people at their word.

When I received the e-mail about Chuck’s passing, it hit me in the gut. I was reeling. I decided to write a succinct but heartfelt blog announcing the news Tuesday and that would be the end of it. The news would get around and the world could mourn the loss of the best hard rock drummer of the 1980s. That this could all be some insane prank was the furthest thing from my mind.

I’m sorry I unknowingly spread this horrible lie. I apologize to the world, Chuck’s family, Chuck’s friends, and especially Chuck.”

Again, we only wish the family members of Chuck Biscuits well after this traumatizing hoax.