Dave Sweetapple obituary, death, Renowned Musician and Bassist for Witch, Eerie, and Sweet Apple, Passes Away at 58, Leaving Behind a Legacy of Music, Mentorship, and Community.
The music world is mourning the unexpected loss of Dave Sweetapple, a talented musician, and bassist for the bands Witch, Eerie, and Sweet Apple. Sweetapple passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 58, leaving behind a legacy of music, mentorship, and community that will be deeply missed.
As a bassist, Sweetapple was known for his work in Witch, Eerie, and Sweet Apple, and his influence on the underground rock scene was far-reaching and diverse. He was also a photographer, capturing moments for numerous zines and album covers, including Dag Nasty’s “85-86.”
Sweetapple’s impact on the music world went beyond his own bands, as he was instrumental in connecting people and promoting the underground music scene through his work with Tee Pee Records and his co-founding of Mag Wheel Records. He was a mentor, a supporter, and a friend to many, and his passing has left a significant void in the lives of those who knew him.
Tributes have been pouring in from around the world, each highlighting a different aspect of Sweetapple’s personality and accomplishments. Damian Abraham, a member of the band Fucked Up, recalled his first encounter with Sweetapple at the South by Southwest music festival in 2008, describing him as having a contagious excitement for music. Abraham also noted that Sweetapple’s influence on music was “too big to sum up with a single band.”
John Brannon, the frontman of the iconic hardcore band Negative Approach, expressed his shock at the news of Sweetapple’s passing, having met him just a few days before he passed away. “He was completely fine,” Brannon wrote, highlighting the astonishment and anguish that preceded the news of his friend’s passing.
The impact of Sweetapple’s passing has been felt far and wide, with Roadburn Festival, a well-known experimental and underground music event, stating that he had left “an indelible mark on the lives of many, many people and will be sorely missed.” Desertfest New York City, a stoner rock event, also paid tribute to Sweetapple, recognizing him as an essential component of their beginning in 2019.
As the music world continues to mourn the loss of Dave Sweetapple, his legacy will live on through the music he created, the bands he supported, and the countless lives he impacted. His contributions to the underground rock scene will not be forgotten, and his influence will continue to be felt for years to come.
