Amen frontman Casey Chaos has died aged 59

nme.com:

Amen, has died aged 59.The singer’s death was announced in a statement from Brian Perera, founder of his record label, Cleopatra Records yesterday (December 21).“With heartfelt sadness, I extend my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Casey Chaos,” Perera wrote. “I had the privilege of working with Casey during his unforgettable live performance with Christian Death at the American Legion Hall back in 1993.

Walking into the hall with my good friend Matt Green and my wife, Yvonne, was an experience I’ll never forget—especially seeing Nicolas Cage sitting front-row center, completely captivated.“Casey wasn’t just an extraordinary musician—he truly lived and breathed the lifestyle,” he continued, “May he rest in peace alongside Rozz Williams and the many tortured souls we admire and respect.”A post shared by Cleopatra Records (@cleopatrarecords)Chaos, real name Karim Chmielnski, was born in Trenton, New York on October 9 1965, and grew up in Melbourne, Florida.

By the age of 10, he was touring professionally as a skateboarder.In 1982, fellow skateboarder Duane Peters played him a tape by the Californian punk band Black Flag, which inspired him to begin making his own music under the band name Casey and the Skate Punx.

He recruited bassist Scot Lade, drummer Bill Erwin, and guitarist Ken Decter, later changing the band name to Disorderly Conduct.Later, Chaos moved to Los Angeles where the group changed their name to Amen.