RIP Locust innovator Gabe Serbian

Locust member Gabe Serbian reportedly passed away on April 30. "This world will miss Gabe as a friend, family member, musician, and artist," posted The Locust online. "He will continue to live on in so many ways and through everyone he has connected with during his time with us. May 1st is his birthday, and we hope that you can find a way to celebrate his life. During this difficult time we ask that you give Gabe’s family privacy."

The longtime Golden Hill resident and Casbah bartender played for costumed post-punk noise rock innovators the Locust, and sang for punk loving Rats Eyes, alongside John Cota (formerly of Hostile Comb-Over), Jason Blackmore (Sirhan Sirhan), and James Armbrust (formerly of Louis XIV).

Among the other groups Serbian played and/or sang with are Some Girls, Holy Molar, Skinwalker, Retox, KATA, Head Wound City, and Planet B. After temporarily relocating to Austin, Texas, Serbian co-founded a new band alongside members of the Roller. Calling themselves Wet Lungs, their debut 7-song Vile Hobbies EP was released in late 2014. By then, Serbian and his wife had moved back to San Diego.

"He was unlike any other human being I have encountered," says bandmate Justin Pearson. "He was the rarest of the rare. I like to think he and I had shared telepathy through music. He will be with me every single time I am on stage for the rest of my life. I am grateful for every second we shared together on this planet. I already miss him more than imaginable. I will miss him forever."

The 2014 Asia Argento film Incompresa featured onscreen roles for Serbian and Pearson, who joined with Three One G labelmate Luke Henshaw to contribute to the film's soundtrack.

The following year, Serbian and Henshaw released a collaborative album called Variations In the Key Of the Afterlife. Guest players include Matt Resovich (Album Leaf, Black Heart Procession) and Alia Jyawook (Hot Nerds, Vaginals, Tiny Telephones).

Serbian debuted a new band with Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo in December 2015, Dead Cross, also featuring Justin Pearson on bass and Michael Crain on guitar.

The Locust put their 21st century costumes back on for a short California tour that kicked off December 7, 2021 in Santa Ana and ran through a December 11 date in Fresno. Earlier this year, the Locust's Safety Second, Body Last EP was re-released for the first time on Three One G Records on both cassette and vinyl.

Serbian is survived by his wife and two young children.