Razorback drummer ends life, captures it via Facebook Live
Credit to Author: CHRISTINA ALPAD, TMT| Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2019 16:12:43 +0000
Brian Velasco, drummer of the iconic 1990s heavy metal band Razorback, jumped to his death from a condominium building in Malate, Manila on Wednesday.
According to reports, Velasco began a Facebook Live video — a feature on the social media platform where users can broadcast real-time videos — at 9:45 a.m. on Wednesday while others claimed the live video started between 10:40 a.m. and 11 a.m.
“Pakialagaan niyo na lang si Pochito (Velasco’s dog). Here we go,” were Velasco’s last words.
Although Facebook removed the live video from Velasco’s Facebook account, a few netizens managed to repost the video of the suicide.
Razorback is a Filipino band formed in 1990, playing heavy metal, hard rock and blues rock.
The band started out covering music from Led Zeppelin, Juan de la Cruz Band, Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden. They have staged major concerts and opened for Silverchair, Rage Against the Machine and Metallica.
According to his Facebook profile, Velasco joined the Razorback as its drummer in 1996.
Other members of the band are guitarist Tirso Ripoll and Manuel Legarda, and bass guitarist Louie Talan. Their first album was “Hebigat Sounds Volume One” released in 1995.
As news of Velasco’s demise began circulation, fans and colleagues also trooped to social media to give their tribute.
On their official Facebook page, the band wrote, “Today we lost our brother….and our hearts are broken…..we love you and we will always miss you Bri. #rzrbk”
Separately, on his Instagram account @tripoll, bandmate Ripoll posted an old photo of Velasco and wrote, “I love you Bri…… Sleep well, Sweet Prince.”
Meanwhile, The Dawn guitarist Francis Brew Reyes tweeted via @francisbrew, “Hey Brian, I hope you have your peace now. Will remember all the fun and funny times, and your forceful drumming. Still having difficulty processing what happened #Razorback #RIPBrianVelasco.”
Netizens also encouraged other social media users to stop spreading the video of Velasco’s suicide, among them the late musician’s cousin Rbee Ablan.
“P.S. May I request my friends here on Facebook who might come across my cousin Brian Velasco’s last video post, to politely ask people who are sharing it (if you know them personally) and persuade them to refrain from doing so and to pull it down from their newsfeeds? It is too painful for family and friends to see such a tragedy appear on our feeds, especially for those whose lives he touched,” Ablan wrote on his Facebook.
“There are many better and more beautiful things to remember Brian by, memories of him that we would rather keep alive to bring a smile to our hearts in this dark time. We urge you to kindly offer him a prayer for his eternal rest instead. Thank you,” he pleaded.
Persons who may need assistance may call Hopeline hotlines 804-HOPE (4673); 0917-558-HOPE (4673); or 2919 (toll-free number for Globe and TM subscribers).
WITH ARIC JOHN SY CUA, DIVINA NOVE JOY DELA CRUZ, CATHERINE MODESTO
The post Razorback drummer ends life, captures it via Facebook Live appeared first on The Manila Times Online.