After a few years battling pancreatic cancer, Brendan “Stu” Maguire, the former bassist and guitarist for iconic hardcore bands BANE and REACH THE SKY, has died, leaving behind a wife and two daughters. Brendan was diagnosed in September of 2019 and continued to fight until his passing on June 27th. Dozens of artists, bands, members of hardcore community have taken to social media to express their condolences and pay tribute to his respected persona.
“We’re With Stu” charity show will take place at Boston’s House of Blues and will feature Bouncing Souls, Sick of It all, H20, and Rebuilder. Tickets can be purchased at this location.
[UPDATE]: June 29th, 2021:
Bane issued the following update:
“As many of you have heard our bassist and brother, Brendan “Stu” Maguire, succumbed to his 21 month long, ferocious battle with cancer on Sunday. He fought until his final breath. We were gathered with him at the hospital, a large group of family, friends, workmates, band members and road dogs, to see him off. He let go at 8:30 pm, and outside the hospital the sun was setting and the sky was the most striking, beautiful, and terribly sad glow of orange. His father came outside and told us all that as long as we keep Brendan in our hearts that he will never truly be gone.
Yesterday we were overwhelmed and comforted by the incredible outpouring of love and testimonials from people who had known Stu or simply been touched by the music that he has made. Today we will begin to put the pieces of our hearts back together again and look ahead.
Fridays show here at The House of Blues in Boston, that was originally going to be a party for our sick friend, made up of his all time favorite bands and attended by many who were looking forward to hugging him and cheering him on, will now be refocused into a celebration of his life, his wife Lee and their two amazing daughters, and finally, the power of friends getting together. To say that he would have wanted this show to go on exactly as planned would be an understatement. He would have insisted on it. It was Brendan’s belief that this community is at its best when it brings people together, picks us up off the floor, and helps us process the difficult and impossibly complex emotions that we all wrestle with in our hearts. That it’s why we scream as loud as we do.
Thank you so much to Sick Of It All The Bouncing Souls H2O and Rebuilder for coming forward to honor that belief.
Come scream with us if you can. Get your tickets HERE.”
Previous updates:
Bane‘s Zach Jordan commented: “I lost one of my best friends last night and I have no idea what to do or think. All I know is that I wanted more time on this earth with him. I don’t think that’s selfish to not want to give him up, I love him that much and I love his family which he made me a part of. I don’t know what to say or do because he was always there. He was just always there, now he’s not, and I don’t know what to do. I’m going to miss my friend more than I think he would ever know and it’s only day one without him. I just don’t know what to do until I see him again. I’m so fucking lost.”
Sunny Singh of hate5six.com shared: “I’m rarely at a loss for words. Children lost their dad. A wife, her husband. Rest in Peace Brendan. The memories and your music will always live on. Sleep well. 💔”
“I never shared this. This was moments after Bane played their final note. When I think of this band I think about how deeply they all love each other. It showed in their music and it showed in them as people. I’m with Stu forever.”
Converge posted: “We’re with Stu forever. We shared many stages with Brendan over the years, whether it was with Reach The Sky, Bane, or teching with other bands. He always managed to bring a smile to our faces no matter the situation. We send our love to his family and many close friends. We’ll miss you old friend.”
Death By Stereo: “For years and years I always looked forward going to Boston, and always looked forward to seeing our friend Stu. Sometimes when we would get into town I would head straight to Lower Allston and hit up the Common Ground for a beer. One day I rolled into town and went straight there. I do believe Ian was there and then Stu rolled in. This was in the middle of the day. We proceeded to get really, really, really fucking drunk. Then Stu had to leave. For years we joked about him leaving that bar so trashed in the middle of the day and how the hell we ended up like that. I had to still play a show that night too! So many random good times with Stu over the years. Genuinely some of my most treasured memories. To all of Stu’s band mates, friends and family. The entire DBS family sends our deepest condolences and love. Stu always made us all smile. So let’s all smile for Stu right now. Love you brother, catch you at the Common Ground. Efrem”
This Is Hell: “Much love to our brothers in Bane. Rest easy, Stu.”
