US punk label Fat Wreck Chords announced this morning that Tony Sly, frontman of No Use For A Name, has passed away.
'It is with great sorrow that we must say goodbye to Tony Sly of No Use For A Name. We received a call earlier today of his passing, and are devastated. We have lost an incredible talent, friend, and father – one of the true greats. [FWC founder] Fat Mike had this to say: “One of my dearest friends and favorite song writers has gone way too soon. Tony, you will be greatly missed.”'
The cause of death and location has not been released.
Sly joined the Californian outfit in 1989, two years after the band’s forming; he was its longest-running member. With No Use For A Name, Sly recorded nine albums and a handful of EPs and compilations; but despite his plans to write and record a tenth LP this year, the band’s last offering was 2008’s The Feel Good Record of the Year.
The 41-year-old later recorded two solo albums, including his first solo acoustic record 12 Song Program in 2010 and a melodic punk record titled Sad Bear in 2011. He also released two albums with Lagwagon's Joey Cape; Acoustic was released in 2004 and his final release Acoustic Volume 2 which came out in June this year.
Tributes have flooded the Twittersphere with fellow Fat Wreck Chords artists and bands who have grown and dictated the American punk scene all mourning the loss.
- Poppy Reid, The Music Network
