PEPPERMINT CREEPS Drummer Dead At 34

Drummer Traci Michaelz of the long-running Hollywood, California glam-metal band PEPPERMINT CREEPS passed away on Friday, June 13 after the group's concert in Ft. Worth, Texas. He was 34 years old. According to the surviving members of PEPPERMINT CREEPS, "the cause of death is still unknown" and will likely take several weeks to determine.

Commented the band: "[We] were with him for two weeks on the road. He was the happiest we have seen him in such a long time. He was doing what he loved the most.

"Let us put to rest any OD rumors. None of us saw anything but alcohol, and yes, he was drinking a lot, but not unusually for Traci. Anyone who knows him, hung out with him or drank with him knew his tolerance was high. He passed out, we put him to bed at 4 a.m. Billy [Blade; bass] heard him snoring at 6 a.m. just before he fell asleep. When we all woke up at 9 a.m., he was not breathing anymore. Macy [Malone; vocals, guitar] tried to revive him, but he was gone. His energy was gone.

"We were only in Texas for the day, just long enough to make sure Traci got back to Hollywood, where he belongs. It was the longest, hardest drive that the three of us had ever had to do. But he was right there with us the whole way home.

"He came into this world knowing exactly what he wanted to do, never wavering and he went out doing it. He would want us to think of the good times and to keep his memory alive. He was a bright, shining, shooting star, brilliant and brief that will never fade out!

"For the record, we never authorized anyone to make announcements regarding the funeral. They did that to make themselves feel better about how they have been the last two years to Traci and his dreams."

Details of Traci Michaelz' viewing/funeral:

Friday, June 20, 2008
Hollywood Forever
at 6000 Santa Monica Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90038

Viewing:
2 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Service: (closed casket)
3 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Please bring a sticker to place on his casket at the end of the service. If there is anything you want to send with him, please bring it to the viewing.

After-party:
5 p.m.
The Rainbow
Sunset Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA

On Saturday, July 26 at 4:30 p.m. PST, "The Metal Scene" TV show will be doing a live call-in special tribute TV show in honor of Traci Michaelz. Anyone who knew Traci and would like to pay his/her respects, call in at 818-778-5091 between 4:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. PST on Saturday, July 26. This show will be seen on Time Warner cable in Los Angeles and rebroadcasted throughout Hollywood and Orange County as well as YouTube and MySpace on "The Metal Scene" TV show page.