Written by: Alex Green

Mike Martt, who played with Tex and the Horseheads and Thelonious Monster has died.

The Huntington Beach-born Martt passed away after a brief illness.

He was 65.

Raised by a deep sea diver father and a hula dancer mother, over the course of his brilliant career Martt also was a member of The Low and Sweet Orchestra from 1994-1999.

His work with Tex and the Horseheads (originally formed by Jeffery Lee Pierce of the Gun Club) was brief but legendary–the band’s self-titled debut in 1984 and their John Doe-produced follow-up Life’s So Cool (1985) are considered to be cowpunk classics.

Martt played on Thelonious Monster’s Next Saturday Afternoon (1987) and Stormy Weather (1988).

In tribute, the Dopey Podcast wrote: “I am devastated to share that our friend, Mike Martt passed away today – he was kind, supportive and funny as hell. He was a punk rock hero with a heart of gold – always eager to talk rock and roll, recovery, and podcasting. He was the Producer of Rehab Confidential with Amy Dresner and Joe Schrank and producer/cohost of Bob Forrest’s Don’t Die Podcast. He was also a Los Angeles punk pioneer playing guitar in Tex and the Horseheads and in Thelonious Monster. Mike was one of a kind and will be missed by all who knew him.”