John Pike, Ra Ra Riot Dummer, Found Dead

This is the kind of news that makes me sick to my stomach. I logged on to myspace today, and saw a bulletin from Ra Ra Riot titled "John." Weird title for a bulletin, I thought, so I clicked it. I found this message:

As many of you already know our drummer, John, passed away today. We would like to thank you for all of your love and support.

Love,
Ra Ra Riot

Then I did a little more research and found that after their show at the Living Room, in Providence, RI, the band went to an afterparty in Fairhaven, Mass.

Via Spin:

Pike had been missing since early Saturday morning (June 2), when the band, following a Friday (June 1) gig in Providence, RI, attended a late night afterparty in nearby Fairhaven, MA. Pike was last seen at the party around 3 A.M. wearing a yellow shirt and Levi's jeans. "He just disappeared from the party after the show," a band spokesperson confirmed to SPIN.com. When Pike didn't turn up Saturday, a search party dispersed on foot and soon discovered his mobile phone on a nearby beach. Next, authorities began drudging the bay and Pike's body surfaced from Buzzards Bay's waters at approximately 4:10 P.M., a band spokesperson confirmed to SPIN.com. "No foul play is suspected," the band's spokesperson said. The band has yet to make any statement or announcement about their future.

Hopefully this tragedy won't cause the demise of this band, because Ra Ra Riot is such a fun band. Such a sad story, our thoughts are with the band and friends & family of John Pike. Be careful when you're drunk out there kids! Sometimes drugs and alcohol lead to stupid decisions...