Defunct math rockers Engine Down have announced the passing of their bassist Jason Wood. A post shared via the band’s social media today, November 06th, conveyed the sad news as follows:
“We are heartbroken to share the news of the passing of Jason Wood.
He was the most entertaining smartass with a heart of gold you ever met. Someone who was nearly always cracking wise, but also always bringing you in on the joke. He started playing bass in order to form this band with us, locked in with Cornbread as an unstoppable rhythm section, and developed a playing style and stage presence that were uniquely his own.
In addition to his intuitive musical contributions, he was the ultimate team player – the kind of person that you want in your band. He bought our first van, used a “dialer” to book our first shows, was our de-facto tour manager throughout our entire existence, was always the social connector and (alongside Cornbread) the party starter – whether the party was meeting friends after the show, or making skits for the band to perform for each other while broken down on the side of the highway in the middle of nowhere. Jason had boundless enthusiasm and was always game.
There was a truly magical alchemy in Engine Down, both musically and personally, and we’re happy to have found ourselves in the right time at the right place with the right people.
We love you Jason.
Cornbread, Jeremy, Jonathan, Keeley“
His bandmate in that group Jonathan Fuller also offered the following personal tribute, while sharing initial details on a celebration of life being planned for Wood.
“everyone’s funniest, most smart-assed, most puppy-dog-loyal, best friend has left us, and we’ll never be the same.
jason was one of the most social creatures i’ve ever known. he really sought and thrived in closeness and connection with others. he got effortlessly close to people because he wasn’t afraid to be seen, and to be known. i now understand that’s a huge part of why i felt so close to him, because his extroversion and desire to connect pulled me out of my shell. honestly, my community would be much smaller if i hadn’t had the fortune of being his wingman while he made new friends for both of us.
sometimes when we were living AND touring together (even attempting to share a sleeping bag once – spoiler alert: it didn’t work), his desire for closeness could feel overwhelming for a personality like mine, but he would always be right there after i got the space i needed, and you can’t hold a grudge against a puppy.
after our years living and touring together, jason went on to do remarkable things in the culinary world, living and working across an impressive list of the coolest places in the coolest cities, eventually marrying an incredible partner and bringing in two adorable pups – rowan and seeker. through it all, we stayed in touch, maintaining a shorthand that only people who shaped one another can truly know.
as he got older, jason struggled mightily with alcohol addiction. the disease drove him to isolate, and operate in shadow – a cruel betrayal of his true nature – and that isolation fueled a vicious and relentless cycle, despite herculean efforts from his wife lou, and the community around him. it was harder for us to stay connected, but we still kept trying. he was carrying a burden that i’ll never comprehend, and while what i want most is for him to still be here and be healthy and happy, i would never want him to keep suffering that unbearable weight just so that i could have more time with him.
rest easy jason.
we see you, we know you, and we love you.”
