Tuesday, August 17, 2010

The Passing of Vicker Gringo

The Checkerboard Kids is primarily a ska program. I have to really believe in a band to have a band that is not ska on. Thus was the case with the innovative band The Deuce and a Quarter headed up by artist, animator, actor and general raconteur Vickers "Bastard" Gringo (Paul Vickers Lyon) I met Vickers about 1995, a kid with green hair and big ideas about music and life. I was happy to reconnect with him in 2009 and have the band on Checkerboard Kids. Upon my return from Canada yesterday I received a call from The Deuce drummer, Jerry who told me after the Gig they played on Saturday, Vickers passed away in his sleep. Wow. I'm still processing this but while I'm sitting around scratching my head. Lets never forget the music that he and his bandmates loved so much. My sincerest sympathies go out to his friends, family, girlfriend, and especially Jerry, Patrick, Adam and the entire network of The Deuce and a Quarter who were just putting the finishing touches on a new release. I'm sure Vickers would have wanted that music in the hands of the people. Rest in peace, Vickers. Thank you for everything.

His friend Abbi from Dart Gun Radio put up a touching tribute on her blog so check it out! http://abigailallan.blogspot.com/

Here are some clips:


Amero:



Absorbing the Head of a Fly:



Whiskey Bottle and a Shot Glass



The entire episode:

2 comments:

Abbi said...

thank you for posting this. I'm a friend of his from college - i can't stand it.
thank you for keeping him alive - no matter where it is

Checkerphil said...

Thank you Abbi! It was great to hear your show! Vickers had so many different skills. So much talent. I can't understand it. I guess the ways of the Universe is not to be understood merely to be accepted. It doesn't make it suck any less.