Legendary Vancouver punk founding father Randy Rampage reported dead

by Mike Usinger on August 15th, 2018 at 11:20 AM

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According to posts on Facebook, former D.O.A. bassist Randy Rampage has died.

The news first surfaced on the Bloodied But Unbowed Facebook page, run by the creators of the Vancouver punk documentary of the same name.

Born Randy Desmond Archibald, Rampage grew up in West Van, the son of parents who were responsible for helping develop the North Shore. Among his close childhood friends was future Pointed Sticks bassist Tony Bardach, who turned him onto punk rock. Rampage also jammed with Bryan Adams in his pre-punk adolescence.

From 1978 to 1981 he became famous as the bleach-blond bassist, holding down a spot in its most iconic lineup with singer-guitarist Joe Keithley and drummer Chuck Biscuits. He would play on the band's early singles and genre-defining full-lengths Something Better Change and Hardcore '81 before being fired.

During this period he established himself as the Vancouver punk scene's most eclectic showman, spending as much time leaping in the air as he did standing on-stage.

Following his departure from D.O.A., Rampage released an eponymous solo EP, and then gradually gravitated into the heavy-metal scene with acts like Ground Zero and Annihilator.

He rejoined D.O.A. for a brief run in the late '00s before parting ways with Keithley.

In an excellent biography I Survived D.O.A., written with Chris Walter, Rampage tells the story of his life, which was one of sex, alcohol, and drugs. He was open about being a fully functioning heroin user for years, to the point where he was able to use and still hold down a job as a longshoreman.

Although it's been reported that Rampage died of a heart attack, no official cause of death has been given. He was 58.

Musicians from Guns N' Roses bassist Duff McKagan to the veterans of the the Vancouver punk scene are taking to social media to pay their respects.