As you’ve probably read in any number of the mainstream news outlets that have already picked up the story, the music world, and specifically our little corner of it here in Brooklyn, suffered a big loss this weekend. Drummer Jerry Fuchs, who played in Turing Machine, Maserati, !!! and the Juan MacLean, died after falling down an elevator shaft at a party at 338 Berry Street in Williamsburg late Saturday night.
Details are still somewhat vague, but Fuchs and a friend were in a manually operated freight elevator, which got stuck between the fourth and fifth floor. The two attempted to jump a few feet to safety on the fourth floor, and a piece of Fuchs’ clothing got stuck on the elevator and caused him to fall to the bottom of the shaft. He was brought to Bellevue Medical Center and pronounced dead just a little while later. He was 34.
Fuchs came to New York from Athens, GA, in 1995, and became a staple of the scene here. He played drums for the still very much underrated instrumental band Turing Machine (check out this video—it’s dark, but just close your eyes and listen to the drums), and then became heavily involved in the DFA scene, drumming for !!! and the Juan MacLean, as well as fellow Athens transplants Maserati.
The first time I saw him play was at CMJ of either 1998 or 1999 as part of the Jade Tree Records showcase , where he played with Turing Machine. His skills even then were frightening, the kind that would consistently have you turning and smiling at the person next to you, then quickly shifting your attention back to him so as not to miss anything.
For more details about Fuchs, not only as an immensely talented musician, but as a person who was well liked by everyone who knew him, be sure to read this piece over at Chunklet.
And be sure to watch this video, which, just…. wow.
Yeah, awful. The Juan Maclean actually turned into a really great live band, and he had a LOT to do with it.