R.I.P. CHRIS “ROVER” RYBICKI

“One Step Away,” from The Stings of Conscience, featuring Chris “Rover” Rybicki on bass

Unearth’s original bassist, Chris “Rover” Rybicki, passed away yesterday. The cause was injuries sustained from a traffic accident three weeks ago, in which Rybicki, who was all of 39 years old, was riding a scooter when an allegedly drunk driver, 25 year-old Beth MacGillivary, hit him with her car.

A statement from Unearth reads as follows:

“Yesterday we lost our long time friend and original bass player Chris ‘Rover’ Rybicki. He lost his life from injuries sustained three weeks ago at the hands of an alleged drunk driver. The article from that accident can be found here.

“Rover hadn’t been in the band since 2001, but he remained a good friend to us all throughout the years and this tragedy has hit us hard.

“Not only was Rover a talented musician, but he was also one of the funniest dudes you would ever know. His wit, dark humor and don’t-give-a-fuck attitude made him a unique person that we all loved having in our lives. His memory will live on amongst his family and friends with the countless stories of Rover being Rover. He will be sorely and forever missed.

“Rover played on our our EP Above The Fall Of Man, our debut full length, The Stings of Conscience, and also on two tracks off our 2002 EP, Endless.

“We would like to take a second to urge people to not drink and drive. Please be responsible so these tragedies stop happening.”

This is one of these situations where there’s really nothing to say beyond, “This sucks.” Our condolences go out to Rybicki’s friends and family.

-AR