RIP: Alvin Deguzman of The Icarus Line Has Died From Cancer

This past Friday on 10/6/17 rock fans were hit with tragic unexpected news when they were made aware that a hardcore legend passed away. According to Brooklyn Vegan, Joe Cardamone, frontman of Los Angeles dark rock band The Icarus Line, reported the sad news that his friend/former bandmate Alvin Deguzman lost his battle with cancer.

During his statement Cardamone explained how his old bandmate’s musical talents & character played a huge influence on the band stating “For years he taught the band to play my music. It’s completely impossible overstate what kind of sacrifice that is. There was no money involved, there was very little in the way of recognition, it was just what he did with his life. Alvin was a musician capable of playing at any station in the group(he played guitar both left and right handed, bass and keys). he manned all these stations according to who had left the band for greener or more vanilla pastures. It was his music too and he understood that. I have spent my entire life writing about those close to me and he knew that we were telling the stories of our friends. He knew exactly why it was important and never questioned it’s nobility.”

LA Weekly‘s Ryan Ritchie add on to these statements saying “To say Alvin was vital to The Icarus Line would be an understatement. Besides being one of only two original members left (along with Cardamone) when the group recently disbanded, at different points in the band’s existence he played guitar, bass and keyboards. Whether it was a psychedelic slide guitar on “Up Against the Wall Motherfuckers” or a fuzzed-out bassline on “FSHN FVR,” Alvin’s influence was always heard.”

Deguzman’s influence on The Icarus Line helped them to become the well respected rock group that spent the past 15 years delivering well received albums such as Penance Soiree, Wildlife, Slave Vows and All Things Under Heaven. His influence is also why The Guardian called them to the greatest rock group in 21st century. And while rock fans all over mourn over the loss Alvin Deguzman, his legacy will always be a reminder of not only how talented of an artist that he was, but also of how great of person he was to those that were around him.