Written by: Alex Green

Stereo Embers has learned that Andrew Loomis, the drummer for Dead Moon, has died.

He was in his early fifties.

The influential Oregon band was co-founded by Loomis back in 1987 and remained active until 2006. Although Dead Moon was no longer an ongoing proposition, Loomis and the other members of the band–Fred and Toody Cole–would reunite on occasion. They cut a 2015 tour short due to Loomis’ health issues.

The charismatic drummer was diagnosed with Lymphoma a year ago, however, he was said to be cancer-free at the time of his death.

His girlfriend Neva Knott posted this message on the Dead Moon Facebook page:

It is with the heaviest heart I’m writing this. Andrew passed away at 4:50 this afternoon. He took a sudden and sharp, unexpected turn for worse a couple of weeks ago and has been in the hospital since Feb. 25. Tests determined he had a series of mini strokes at home, then developed respiratory problems over this past weekend. This morning he was put on a morphine drip, passed peacefully with his brothers, sister, Ruby Ann Swaner Whitfield, and me with him. We’ll throw a wake at Dante’s as soon as we can. Ironically, he is still cancer free.

Dead Moon played a propulsive brand of garage that was laced with everything from punk to country. Their live shows were energetic and spirited and the band had fans all over the world. Eddie Vedder was fond of covering “It’s Okay” with Pearl Jam, and a documentary called Unknown Passage: The Dead Moon Story, captures the essence of the band’s scruffy majesty.

Recently, Loomis was behind the kit for the band Shiny Things.