Cake’s Founding Guitarist Greg Brown Passes Away
Greg Brown, the founding guitarist of the band Cake, has passed away following a brief illness. The band announced his death on February 7 via social media, expressing their sorrow over the loss. They highlighted Brown’s integral role in shaping Cake’s early sound and acknowledged the significant impact of his creative contributions.
Greg Brown’s Legacy with Cake
Brown co-founded Cake in 1991 along with John McCrea, Vince DiFiore, Frank French, and Shon Meckfessel. His contributions are prominent on Cake’s debut album, *Motorcade of Generosity* (1994), and the successful follow-up, *Fashion Nugget* (1996). On *Fashion Nugget*, Brown wrote the band’s hit single “The Distance.”
Creative Process and Musical Contributions
In a 2021 interview with Billboard, Brown shared his excitement about collaborating with lead singer McCrea. McCrea elaborated on Brown’s musical influence, stating that Brown’s guitar work often provided a rhythmic foundation for their songs. He described their creative sessions as an “explosion of ideas,” which Brown confirmed as a seamless flow of inspiration.
Tributes and Remembrance
Fans of the band have shared heartfelt tributes since the announcement of Brown’s passing. One user on social media remarked on the loss of a foundational architect in the world of alternative rock.
Post-Cake Ventures
Brown departed from Cake shortly before the release of their third album. He went on to form the band deathray, which released its debut album in 2000. Throughout the 2000s, his focus remained on this project, though he also contributed to short-lived collaborations with Rivers Cuomo in the supergroup Homie and worked on other solo projects.
In 2011, Brown reunited with Cake to play guitar on the track “Bound Away” from their album *Showroom of Compassion*. Since then, Cake has released various B-sides, a live album, and a charity single titled “Sinking Ship” to support Doctors Without Borders.
Recent Work
Most recently, Cake contributed the song “Hold You (Responsible)” to *Songs For Sex*, a compilation dedicated to raising awareness about reproductive rights in the United States. The proceeds from the album benefit the National Women’s Health Network.
