Toronto’s rock and roll music community has lost a bright light in drummer Vassil Mester.
Mester was hugely active in the Toronto and Ottawa scenes, playing most recently with hardcore punks Absolut (cited in our Heavy Bands to Watch article from January) as well as Ottawa-based ZEX. He had also been a member of City Sweethearts, Brinks of Madness, Diemonds, Marvelous Darlings, Cheap Thrills and Rad Habbits.
Friends and former bandmates of the Ramones-loving musician have been posting tributes since the news broke late this morning (Thursday, April 2).
@Adamyk RIP Vassil Mester. One of the best drummers in Canada. Huge loss for the Toronto/Ottawa community. Rest easy, little guy.
@PartyPriyaPanda For those who have been following @diemonds since the EP/DEMO days. Rip Vassil xoxoxo we love you brother.
Stuck in the City promoter/S.H.I.B.G.Bs booker Greg Benedetto said on Facebook: Today Toronto lost one of the kindest & friendliest faces in the music community. RIP Vassil.
As of press time, no cause of death has been reported. A memorial fund has been set up to help Mester’s family with funeral and memorial costs. A benefit show in Toronto is also in the works. [UPDATE: Vassil Fest happens Friday (April 10) at S.H.I.B.G.B.S. (225 Geary), featuring Marvelous Mark, Bad Zeppelin, S.H.I.T., Hassler and Absolut. $10, with all proceeds going to the Mester family.]
Mester’s passing follows two other recent deaths in the Diemonds family, Alan “Yeti” Riches and Paul “Cuzo” Mancuso.
Stay safe out there, kids.
carlag@nowtoronto.com | @carlagillis
