R.I.P. Mike Howe

[Jack the Stripper]

Band has since posted this:

Concerning our recently deleted post addressing the news that Mike’s passing was a suicide, we wanted to dispel any misconceptions that might have arisen from certain media reports. In our efforts to do that, our attempts at honesty created a narrative that fell outside our purest of intentions. We were in no way, shape or form referring to anything in relation to vaccinations, COVID or politics. We were saying our brother was hurting and while he was seeking medical care for it, the treatments he was utilizing did not protect him. Otherwise, he would still be with us today.

If you knew Mike Howe, then you knew he was a truly good human being who loved his friends, his family and his many fans around the world. He would always go the extra mile to make someone feel good and he would always give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. We ask that you remember Mike in that way and for the amazing metal music he created.

This is an extremely difficult time for everyone who knew Mike personally and those that knew him through the music. We are all still processing the loss of our brother. We apologize that the original statement was misunderstood or created an incorrect dialog. We ask that you please stop attacking each other in relation to Mike’s passing and Metal Church. We ask that you take that energy and use it to keep Mike’s memory alive by sharing the music he created while he was with us. We want Metal Church music to bring people together as it has over the years and not be divisive.

Godspeed Mike Howe, WE LOVE YOU!!!

Also I read a post on their FB the day after he died from Mike’s son which got deleted soon after that said it was very unprofessional for the band as the family had found out Mike had died via Metal Church’s FB.

Some of the stuff in the statements the band have since put out seem a little unprofessional as well I must say.

[Charger]

Well they are hurting...most understandable. I don't think they're thinking straight right now in this time. And considering how fast the whole suicide thing came out was bit overwhelming I can imagine.

And the biggest problem seemed to have been the people commenting on the post not the post itself. Shocker people on social media were acting like morons.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

@Jack
The trouble with band members is they're not trained PR men. I suspect they didn't run their statement by management first. They probably meant well but it can cause unexpected issues to arise. But the fact the family didn't know until it was already made public is unfortunate and regretable but surely for the authorities to sort out not the band?

[Jack the Stripper]

I get the band would be hurting big time but it seems way too early to be going down this track. Mike hasn’t even been laid to rest yet. You don’t need to be PR trained to understand that. But maybe what Charger said, they are in shock and that can lead to not thinking things through properly.

It is very unfortunate that the family found out that way and I don’t know what sort of relationship the band had with them but stuff like this does unfortunately happen from time to time.

[Zzzptm]

^True. It's why it's best to forgive, especially in the middle of a stressful situation.

[Charger]

There's a pretty cool Memorial package for Mike Howe that's just been put up for Preorder at Rat Pack Records:

https://ratpakrecordsamerica.com/metal-church

Features a picture book featuring the career of Mike and a memorial t-shirt.



I preordered my copy. It's limited to only 500 so it's pretty special.

[Jack the Stripper]

This came across my FB feed yesterday so I clicked and had a look and ended up jumping on a signed CD. I see they’re sold out now so was lucky to get one. Passed on the booklet, it seems like a tour program type booklet rather than an actual photo book.

[Charger]

The photo book and t-shirt arrived today:



It is a soft cover book but it does have a fair ammount of pictures from different eras and some personal shots from Mike as well.

I do wish it would contain some stories or other comments from the other guys in the band but as it is the pictures are nice too. Well worth it I think and such a cool memorial piece to have.

[Charger]

Been a year since we lost Mike... Think I need to spin some METAL CHURCH tonight!

[Zzzptm]

Been a year since we lost Mike... Think I need to spin some METAL CHURCH tonight!

Truth.

[Charger]

Metal Church just announced a final release to celebrate Mike's life and career in the form of a picture disc and cd called The Best Of Mike Howe 2016-2021.

The picture disc was a limited edition of just 300 copies and I was lucky enough to snag one...they have already sold out.

Also got the cd because it has an unreleased song on it.

https://ratpakrecordsamerica.com/metal-church