Derek Jones, the guitarist of the band Falling in Reverse, has passed away at the age of 35. The tragic news was confirmed by the band's vocalist Ronnie Radke, as reported by Consequence of Sound and other sources. The cause of the guitarist's death is unknown as of this writing.
Jones joined the band in 2010. He is the only original member alongside Radke despite member changes in the lineup. Over the decade, the group gained popularity due to its mix of metalcore, hard rock, and pop-punk. The band currently has its highest-charting hit with "Popular Monster," which hit the top spot on Billboard last February.
"I'll never forget when you picked me up from jail in your old tour van to start Falling in Reverse," Radke tweeted. "Your spirit will be interwoven through the music I write forever. Rest in peace Derek Jones. My heart is broken," continued Radke, who also posted pictures of Jones in happier times.
According to Loudwire, Jones was a member of A Smile From the Trenches hardcore group. During his tenure from 2007 to 2010, he was featured in one EP and one record.
Last year, Christina Cett, Jones' fiancée, passed away from cancer.
About Derek Jones
Jones was born on June 5, 1984, in Lake Forest, California, according to Billboard. He initially played saxophone but turned to guitars instead. Jones started to listen to singles of bands like Slipknot, Blink 182, and others. He formed many groups while he was in his teenage years but only had small shows until his first tour at age 19. He joined A Smile From The Trenches in 2007. The band produced one album titled "Leave the Gambling for Las Vegas." Their first single was "A Smile from the Trenches" in 2007, where the band got its name.
Other singles they did were the band's rendition of Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" in 2010, "Heart of the Ocean," and "Scars" from Our Past in 2012.
Falling In Reverse
Falling In Reverse was formed in 2010 by Jones and Radke after Jones relocated to Las Vegas, and Radke was released from jail. According to CoS, Radke was the frontman of the band Escape the Fate before incarceration. He was charged with battery after being involved in an altercation that ended up with a deadly shooting incident whose victim was an 18-year-old man. Radke served a couple of years for violating his probation.
The band has released four albums, according to Discogs: "Coming Home," "Just Like You," "Fashionably Late," and "The Drug In Me Is You."
The band also released eight singles, including their hits "I'm Not A Vampire," "Raised By Wolves," "Alone," "God If You Are Above," "Pick Up The Phone," "The Drug In Me Is You," and the latest single "Popular Monster." The album "The Drug In Me Is You" recently got gold for selling 500,000 copies in the US alone. They also released the collaboration track "DRUGS" alongside Corey Taylor of Slipknot.
