Andy DeMize
| Andy DeMize | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Andrew Joseph Martinez |
| Also known as | Andy DeMize |
| Born | March 11, 1983 |
| Origin | Hacienda Heights, California, United States |
| Died | January 11, 2009 (aged 25) outside Fullerton, California |
| Genres | Punk rock, rockabilly, psychobilly |
| Occupation(s) | Drummer |
| Instruments | Drum kit |
| Years active | 2001–2009 |
| Labels | Nitro, HairBall8, Hellcat |
| Associated acts | Up Syndrome, The Rocketz, Martinez Brothers Trio, Nekromantix |
| Website | myspace.com/poop_e_pants |
Andrew Martinez (March 11, 1983 – January 11, 2009), better known as Andy DeMize, was a Mexican-American musician. Martinez was the drummer for the bands Nekromantix, Up Syndrome, and The Rocketz.
Martinez started playing drums at the age of 9, influenced by his older brothers, Aaron (a drummer) and Alex (a guitarist)—both members of a rockabilly/cumbia group, the Moonlight Cruisers. Other influential drummers: Wade Youman (Unwritten Law) and John Bonham (Led Zeppelin).
Martinez joined the pop punk group Up Syndrome in October 2001; the band signed with Nitro Records in December 2002, but were dropped by the label before releasing anything. The group broke up while still in pre-production for their debut album, in July 2003.
Martinez and Tony "Slash" Red-Horse formed The Rocketz in December 2003.
In May 2006, Martinez replaced James Meza as the drummer for the Nekromantix. Martinez made his album debut with the group on Life Is a Grave & I Dig It!.
In the early morning of January 11, 2009 Martinez died in an automobile accident. According to reports by The Orange County Register, Martinez and three other people were in a 1972 Chevrolet Nova travelling south on Route 57 outside of Fullerton, California at roughly 85 miles per hour (137 km/h) when the driver lost control, swerved across all lanes of the freeway, went over an embankment, and hit a tree. The car caught fire, igniting a eucalyptus grove. According to police reports, Martinez and another passenger were killed while the driver and a third passenger escaped the vehicle and fled the scene, later calling 9-1-1 from a nearby strawberry field asking for medical help. The driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and felony hit-and-run. He and the third passenger were taken to the University of California, Irvine Medical Center where they were listed in critical condition.
...
Wikipedia