RIP Michael Griffen
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Artist:Michael Griffen
Very sad. I got this email from Joshua Ploeg on the spockmorgue list.I first saw Michael play with Behead the Prophet in 1997 in Oakland and SF. Our friend Zack Carlson was touring with them and Thrones and Men's Recovery Project. It was indeed a freak show all around, a lot of which hinged on the much older violin player who seemed to not only hang with but thrive on the hardcore chaos going on around him. It was very easy to associate being punk with being young, but here was an example of a lifer who obviously took punk beyond a fashion statement and was deeply invested in the life of an experimental musician. Last time I saw Michael was 2005, we (7 Year Rabit Cycle) played with Noggin in Seattle. Not many people came, but there was a young girl who brought her violin and Michael and Eric improvised with her and it felt really special, like there was a passing of the torch or a recognition of this generational gap closing around the concept of improvised violin. 
!http://www.myspace.com/beheadtheprophetnolordshalllive !Joshua's email below:Sorry this will be shocking to some people if you haven't kept abreast of Michael's condition recenty-Michael Griffen passed away monday morning, surrounded by his loving familyhe was an awesome noisemaker, cool dad to his kids (and bandmates) and an all around awesome guy (one of my role models)- he wrote, acted, did art and played crazy music with a tawdry list of bands including Noggin, Behead the Prophet and Artie Smudges Triohe had a deteriorating acute respiratory condition for the last couple of years and had been hospitalized recently after his condition worsenedI don't know what else to say exactly at this time (a loss for words for once)haven't heard any memorial information as of yet but will keep you postedAdam and Aral were staying with him at the time so they will be at the home for those of you who are friends with them and wish to send condolencesJordan has been posting things intermittently on the Behead the Prophet and Yogoman/Jordan Rain myspace pages so you can check there for further informationMake some racket to remember him, he made a joyful noise!
!http://www.myspace.com/beheadtheprophetnolordshalllive !Joshua's email below:Sorry this will be shocking to some people if you haven't kept abreast of Michael's condition recenty-Michael Griffen passed away monday morning, surrounded by his loving familyhe was an awesome noisemaker, cool dad to his kids (and bandmates) and an all around awesome guy (one of my role models)- he wrote, acted, did art and played crazy music with a tawdry list of bands including Noggin, Behead the Prophet and Artie Smudges Triohe had a deteriorating acute respiratory condition for the last couple of years and had been hospitalized recently after his condition worsenedI don't know what else to say exactly at this time (a loss for words for once)haven't heard any memorial information as of yet but will keep you postedAdam and Aral were staying with him at the time so they will be at the home for those of you who are friends with them and wish to send condolencesJordan has been posting things intermittently on the Behead the Prophet and Yogoman/Jordan Rain myspace pages so you can check there for further informationMake some racket to remember him, he made a joyful noise!
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