RIP Traci Michaelz

[sully]

not sure that many would care about the peppermint creeps, and i can't say that i was a fan, but their drummer Traci passed away a few days ago.

the only reason i make any mention of is was that it made me think of donny. a few years ago after namm, we (along with many others) were at the hilton hotel, drinking and hanging out. donny loved the peppermint creeps, and when i saw Traci at the hotel, i got donny and we headed over to go talk to him. he was a pretty cool guy, and oddly enough, we knew a lot of the same people in hollywood (even though i left there a lonnnnnng time ago). i remember donny laughing to me and telling me that he couldn't believe that he was smokin' a joint with traci in front of the hilton. it was a funny moment, and one that i'll never forget.

i was thinking about donny yesterday and how it's getting close to a year after his passing, and then i read the news that traci had passed (at age 34, no less). too sad.

sully

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=99224

[Bengal]

Yeah, I saw that too.

Not too sure what to think of the Peppermint Creeps. Their look is cool, but I don't know much about their music.

But what I did like about them is they were self-promoting whores. Just like all the 80's hair bands were. They did the old school promotion thing. Putting up fliers, having a presence everywhere cool. I remember seeing them on VH1 Honors for someone, can't remember who. But the camera trucked over the audience and there they were. Hard to miss those guys. I talked to them for a second at NAMM in 2006. Interesting guys.

He did die young. RIP.

[~K~]

[sully]

yep. that was him next to chris holmes.

sully

[lerxstcat]

I wasn't familiar with the band's music or Traci, but 34 is too young and everywhere I've read about this the vibe is that everybody loved the guy, even if they didn't dig the band they loved HIM. Sounds like the kind of nice enthusiastic music lover that anyone would be happy to have a beer with. He died doing what he loved, touring the country playing rock and roll. God bless him, may he rest in peace.

[Firebird V]

well said lerx. mot a fan of there music but 34 is wayyyy to young. RIP.

[CrazyTrain]

I was waiting for someone else to post this news. I was in a couple of bands with Tracii, and got to know him well. First I must say he was THE best drummer I've ever played with, and second I must say he was a very inspiring person. He was always "On" and having a good time when I was around him. He helped me alot in a time in my life when I was a little lost. I had just moved to Arizona from Florida and didn't know a lot of people. We commuted between Hollywood & Phoenix to do "The Crue" (a Motley tribute band) and had some fun doing it.

The Crue at The Whisky in Hollywood


He was so dedicated to his music that he lived it in every moment of his life, and he was the first dude I've ever met like that. He lived the life of a Rock Star, and made some of the most fun times of my life. He didn't wear a wig...


That was his look all the time. I have always tried to be able to hide my "look" from my boss and shit like that, but he made it very obvious he was a glam man, and FUCK YOU if ya don't like it!


His funeral was today, and I couldn't make it to Hollywood from Phoenix. I am remembering him in my own way tonite, and hoping he is in a better place.


Miss you bro.