His Last Drumbeat: Razorback’s Brian Velasco, 41

By: Darwin Pesco

“Today we lost our brother….and our hearts are broken…..we love you and we will always miss you Bri.”

Filipino rock band Razorback confirmed the death of their brother not just in music but in life, Brian Velasco on Wednesday, January 16, in a suicide.

Velasco, who was the drummer of the band, died by suicide and he streamed the act on Facebook. His friends and followers watched some parts of the live video.

Based on a report from Manila police, the drummer was found dead at around 9:45 am on the safety canopy covering the first floor of the condominium building in Malate, Manila.  

Many artists paid tribute to their friend and used social media to share their memories with the drummer.

Nicole Asensio, the former member of General Luna, expressed her grief and said that she had many good memories with Velasco, whom she treated as a best friend.

“I remember how we would drink like madmen for 28 hours straight and jump up and down because we were so damn happy at that moment and didn’t care what came our way next. I remember the roadtrips. I remember the heartbreaks,” Asensio posted on her Facebook account.

Also, rock star Jett Pangan shared his fondest memory of the Razorback’s drummer.

“We had so much fun. I remember we just drank and drank beer before, during and after each show—and he was an awesome team player. When JPG came to an end, I saw him as a brother, so his untimely demise is truly devastating.” Pangan said in an interview published in a Philippine Star article.

Velasco joined Razorback as its drummer in 1996.

“More than anything, I was not nervous during the audition, I was just happy to play,” Velasco said in a 2013 interview on RadioRepublic.

A former drum instructor, Velasco auditioned for a spot in the band after founding member Miguel Ortigas left.

In the end, Razorback chose Velasco, who guitarist Tirso Ripoll described as “a nice guy.”

“Skills, you can learn, but you can’t teach how to be a nice guy. You can’t teach how to be a real brother,” Ripoll described Velasco.

For his friends, loved ones, and bandmates, and even the fans of their band’s music, Velasco left a mark in the music industry.

Furthermore, for people suffering from depression, a 24/7 crisis support hotline for depression and suicide prevention, called The HOPELINE Project is there and can be reached at (02) 804-HOPE (4673), 0917 558 HOPE (4673) and 2919 (toll-free number for all Globe and TM subscribers).