R.I.P Don Decker-Anal Blast

[guitarsjb]

Not sure if there are a lot of fans here, but Don was a friend of mine and he passed away this morning.

He was always full of shit, and a load of fun to be around.

He's missed.

[Jacksons Shred]

Sorry about your loss, bud.

RIP.

[straycat]

So sorry Jeri its tough to lose a close friend.

[VitaminG]

I'm not familiar with the band or with Don, but I'm truly sorry to hear of your loss, Jeri

[Alvin_Wilson]

Sorry about your loss, Jeri. RIP, Mr. Decker.

[6string40]

Sorry to hear of your loss Jeri. My thoughts are with you and the Decker extended family.

[toxikdeth]

Wich one is he

[VitaminG]

the one on the right. Our Jeri is on the left

[Inazone]

I knew Don for at least ten years. First time I met him was when he was flyering outside (IIRC) a Metallica show, promoting his Nightfall Records shop in Minneapolis. I went to the show with my roommate/bandmate, who had introduced me to the European death metal and black metal that has become the norm these days, and we decided to go check the shop out. Talk about an eye-opening experience! I think we were overwhelmed by the sheer number of albums by bands we'd never heard of here in behind-the-times Minnesota - Dark Tranquillity, Arch Enemy, Dimmu Borgir, At the Gates, etc. - and Decker himself was just icing on the cake. He was standing behind the counter wearing spiked leather gauntlets, complaining that he was too fat because he kept jabbing himself in the gut. That was just the kind of guy he was.

We stopped by one weekend, not realizing that it was the day after Milwaukee Metalfest, and waited around for someone to open the shop. Almost an hour later, just as we were abandoning our quest, a car comes screaming around the corner and out hops Decker. He opens up the store, offers us some warm beer ("Metalfest leftovers" he tells us) and goes about business as usual.

Anyway, he was always a good guy to work with, getting Under Eden and other local bands opening slots for national acts. He'd had one foot in the grave for going on two years now- liver AND kidney disease will have that effect - but he kept coming out to shows and touring with Anal Blast up until just a month or two ago. I wouldn't say that anyone from the local scene here was surprised at his passing, but he fought off death for so long that it seemed like he might just keep on going for years.

RIP Don. You were friend to me and my band, and to a lot of other metalheads.

[clifffclaven]

I met don a few times in the mid 90s when i lived in minneapolis. Had some friends that played in hardcore/ metal bands that hung out with him. Totally nice guy. I think joey jordison from slipknot played drums in AB at one time, not 100% sure. RIP, that sucks.

[StukaJU87]

Sorry for your loss, Jeri. RIP Mr. Decker.