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former Deerhunter bassist Josh Fauver, RIP

Deerhunter
Josh with Deerhunter at Webster Hall in 2010 (more by Amanda Hatfield)

Former Deerhunter bassist Josh Fauver, who joined the band in 2004 and was with them from their debut album through 2010’s Halcyon Digest, has died. Pitchfork points to an Instagram post on the official Deerhunter account, which confirms the news and writes “Very difficult times now.” No cause of death has been revealed at this time.

Josh — who was also in the bands Electrosleep International and S.I.D.S and ran the record label Army of Bad Luck — was a big part of Deerhunter’s appeal during his run with the band. His basslines were often a driving force of their songs (as on fan favorite “Nothing Ever Happened”), and his presence on stage was always massive. Deerhunter wrote some of their very best songs during Josh’s run. He left in 2012, and the following year co-frontman Bradford Cox told Bomb Magazine: “Josh Fauver, the longtime bass player, not the original bass player, but the longest running bass player, for unknown reasons that have not been explained to me, just … didn’t want to be in the band anymore for personal reasons, which I’m not privy to. There was no animosity or acrimony.”

Way too young. Rest in peace, Josh. You’ll be missed.