Cake Band Founding Guitarist Greg Brown Dies

JAKARTA - Guitarist and founder of the band Cake, Greg Brown, is reported to have died. He breathed his last after fighting against the disease he suffered in a short time.

The news of the departure of the musician who gave a unique color to rock music in the 1990s was confirmed directly by Cake through an official statement on social media.

"Greg was an integral part of Cake's early sound and development. His creative contributions were extraordinary, and his presence - both musically and personally - will be greatly missed. Goodbye, Greg," read the Cake band's statement, quoted Monday, February 9.

Brown's role in Cake is not just a complement, but a main pillar that has built the identity of the California band since its inception in 1991.

Together with John McCrea (vocals), Vince DiFiore (trumpet, keyboard), Frank French (drums), and Shon Meckfessel (bass), Brown created a musical foundation that blends elements of rock, funk, and experimental touches.

His departure left a huge hole for his fellow musicians and his loyal fans around the world.

Greg Brown's name is immortalized in the history of world music thanks to his involvement in Cake's two monumental debut albums, namely "Motorcade of Generosity" (1994) and "Fashion Nugget" (1996).

It was on the second album that Brown made gold ink by writing the hit song "The Distance". The song not only catapulted Cake's name into the popular charts, but also became the national anthem for the alternative music generation until today.

In an interview with Billboard a few years ago, Brown recalled how his creative synergy with McCrea became the driving force behind the band's success.

McCrea also acknowledged Brown's intelligence in processing guitar arrangements. "Often, the songs are filtered through Greg's ears. He will do things with his guitar that tidy up the rhythm in a way that I think is very, very clever," McCrea said at the time.

Although Brown had left before the release of the third album, to form the Deathray project and collaborate with Rivers Cuomo (Weezer) in the Homie group, he had reunited with Cake to fill in on guitar for the song "Bound Away" on the album "Showroom of Compassion" (2011).

His dedication to music never faded, even after he was no longer a permanent member. Now, fans are releasing the architect with various honors on social media - calling him a figure who shaped the landscape of modern alternative rock.