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Andrew Martinez (1983[1] – January 11, 2009), known professionally as Andy DeMize, was the drummer for the bands Nekromantix, Up Syndrome, and The Rocketz.
Andy DeMize | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1983 |
| Died | January 11, 2009 (aged 25–26) Outside Fullerton, CA, US |
| Occupation | Drummer |
| Years active | 2001–2009 |
| Labels | Nitro |
Career
editMartinez joined the pop punk group Up Syndrome in October 2001; the band signed with Nitro Records in December 2002.[2]
Death
editIn the early morning of January 11, 2009 Martinez died in an automobile accident.[1][3] According to reports by the Orange County Register, Martinez and three other people were in a 1972 Chevrolet Nova travelling south on Route 57 outside of Fullerton, California at roughly 85 miles per hour (137 km/h) when the driver lost control, swerved across all lanes of the freeway, went over an embankment, and hit a tree.[4][5] The car caught fire, igniting a eucalyptus grove.[4][5] According to police reports, Martinez and another passenger were killed[3] while the driver and a third passenger escaped the vehicle and fled the scene, later calling 9-1-1 from a nearby strawberry field asking for medical help.[3][4][5] The driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and felony hit-and-run.[3][5] He and the third passenger were taken to the University of California, Irvine Medical Center where they were listed in critical condition.[4]
Martinez's bandmates were quick to respond to news of his death. Nekromantix frontman Kim Nekroman remarked: "My thoughts and condolences go out to his family and everybody that knew Andrew. There [are] no words to describe the shock ... Andrew was probably the most loveable guy I ever met and truely [sic] the only person I've met in my life that was loved and liked by everybody [he] met."[1][3] Tony Slash of The Rocketz remarked that "Andy touched many people, his heart was golden, his reputation as a truly nice guy was understated ... he was always quick to offer a hand or a beer. He was more than just the backbone of The Rocketz ... he was the bond that kept everyone together, he was like a son to me."[3]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "In Memoriam: Andrew Martinez of Nekromantix (1983-2009)". Punknews.org. 2009-01-12. Archived from the original on 23 January 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-12.
- ^ Fadroski, Kelli (3 November 2010). "Orange Pop: Former UpSyndrome frontman has become a VMA-winning director". Retrieved 7 May 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f Wener, Ben (2009-01-12). "Nekromantix drummer Andy DeMize, 25, dies in car crash". ocregister.com. OC Register. Archived from the original on 2009-01-18. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
- ^ a b c d Giasone, Barbara (2009-01-11). "Two killed, two hurt when car careens off 57 freeway". ocregister.com. OC Register. Retrieved 2009-01-12.
- ^ a b c d Hernandez, Salvador (2009-01-12). "It was a deadly weekend on O.C. freeways". ocregister.com. OC Register. Retrieved 2009-01-13.