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Former Misfits Drummer Brian Keats Dies at 46

Brian "Damage" Keats, who played drums in the Misfits during its final Glenn Danzig-helmed lineup, died Tuesday after battling liver cancer, according to a press release. Keats, who was 46, was also a veteran of punk bands Verbal Abuse and Genocide.

Damage was first asked by Danzig to join the Misfits in the autumn of 1983 and played with the band at a Halloween gig in Detroit . The show wound up being the final Misfits gig with the frontman.

But Keats, a Brooklyn native, was undaunted, remaining on the New York music scene throughout the 1980s, playing with a long run of outfits like Hellbent, the Kretins, the Hellhounds, the Skulls, Angels in Vain, Princess Pang, Raging Slab and the Diamondbacks.

Keats eventually settled in Los Angeles and collaborated with outfits like Sylvain Sylvain, Low Pop Suicide, the Fusztones and even former Bangles frontwoman Susanna Hoffs, among a long run of others. He is survived by his wife and one child.

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Mickey Barba

Fastest right foot I ever saw or heard.Punk was all that ran through his veins.He was the real deal.God Bless him,and all his family.

April 26 2010 at 12:21 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ice Berg

Isnt it funny, when someone passes away, how most people sit around and try to rationalize the what if's and why's! Then you have the blamers too, they are the one's that will say drinking, smoking,Blah,Blah,Blah!

Look man, A good person passed away! He had a wife and child, he will be missed by many. Cant we leave it at that?

January 16 2010 at 4:56 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
MC

Brian was a good friend. He was not your stereotypical rocker or drummer for that matter. Your assumptions that he died from years of abuse are erroneous. He was a hardworking guy with a great sense of humor. An average family man and awesome drummer.

January 16 2010 at 3:50 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
cool

me either just another death when i go i wont even make the obituaries

January 15 2010 at 9:53 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
hi all

He was probably a highschool dropout and thought it was cool to smoke and drink excessively. Poor lad.

January 15 2010 at 9:42 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jane

so sorry that this talented young musican passed from such an awful illness! this is one of the worst sorts of cancer; painful and unstoppable. I doubt anyone survives it no matter when it is discovered. know of two people who passed away from this one. condolences to his family and no doubt many friends.

January 15 2010 at 9:22 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
clowns1116

People get a niche in life, and unless you do things in moderation, it will eventually kill you... Life is meant to be enjoyed, but like anything, if you abuse it, whether it be nicotene, booze, drugs, etc, it will kill you. Moderate, and there is no telling how long you can live. Take care my friends
Rocco

January 15 2010 at 7:56 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ohmeibalzich

I AMSORRY THIS MAN DIED, BUT I HAD NEVER HEARD OF HIM, OR HIS BAND.

January 15 2010 at 7:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
gregory a pittman

great drummer...wonderful person!...i had the pleasure of working with him!!!!

January 15 2010 at 7:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Gregory A. Pittman

I knew Brian and had the pleaseure to have him do some work for me...Great Great Guy and player!!!! GAP gregory's funhouse

January 15 2010 at 6:49 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply