The Frightnrs frontman passed away from ALS at 33; album coming out on Daptone

Earlier this year, there was a benefit show in Brooklyn for Dan Klein, frontman of Daptone-signed Queens band The Frightnrs, who was battling A.L.S. (aka Lou Gehrig’s disease.) Dan sadly passed away at age 33 in June. A NY Times profile offered more details:

On June 8, a weakened Mr. Klein begged his family to help him attend a show by Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings in Prospect Park. Excited by the gig, he texted friends, including Mr. Roth, who had performed with Ms. Jones. “That horn fugue was wicked,” he wrote to Mr. Roth at 12:30 a.m.

Later that morning, Mr. Klein died in his sleep.

Twelve days later, the surviving band members gathered at Daptone’s offices, deeply shaken but determined. “Dan said a couple of times: ‘Please do not stop. We can’t let this go to waste,’” Preet Patel said.

Mr. Terrana said that Mr. Klein drew on his dark wit for strength to the end. “He said: ‘Please use my death to your advantage. I’m not going out without a bang,’” Mr. Terrana recalled.

The surviving members plan to continue their mission to explore styles beyond rock steady, perhaps with revolving singers. When the album arrives, they say they will go through the awkward process of promoting it, though they’re unsure when they will perform again, or how they will bill themselves. “It may be ‘the Frightnrs featuring … (a singer),’” Preet Patel said.

That album has since been announced. It’s called Nothing More To Say, and it’s due out on September 2 via Daptone. You can listen to the reggae-tinged title track below.

As that NY Times article points out, Dan’s death sadly isn’t the only tragedy The Frightnrs are dealing with. Preet and Chuck Patel’s father Naishadh was recently struck by two cars while trying to cross Route 80 in NJ and was killed. “He bled to death in front of our mother,” Preet Patel told the NY Times.

That Times piece also has the final interview with Dan Klein. You can read the whole thing here.