In Loving Memory of Neil Potz: A Tribute to Our Friend, Brother, and Drummer

In Loving Memory of Neil Potz: A Tribute to Our Friend, Brother, and Drummer

It is with a broken heart and profound sadness that I share the devastating news of the passing of our dear friend and former drummer, Neil Potz. Words often fail in moments of such staggering grief, and this is no exception. The weight of this loss is heavy — a hollow ache that reaches far beyond music and melody. Neil was not just a drummer who played beside John and me. He was, and always will be, a part of our soul, our story, and our family.

Neil wasn’t simply someone who kept rhythm — he was someone who lived it. Every beat he played carried emotion, energy, and sincerity. Whether in a small bar, an intimate studio, or on a stage flooded with lights, Neil poured his entire being into the music. He didn’t just play with us — he built something with us. Our sound, our synergy, and so much of our joy were shaped by his hands, his heart, and his humanity.

From the early days, when we were just a few kids chasing sound in garages and smoky rooms, Neil was the anchor. He was the one who showed up, no matter what. Steady. Dependable. Always willing to give his all — for the music, for the band, and for his brothers in arms. His laughter filled the spaces between songs, his stories stretched long into the night after rehearsals, and his quiet wisdom reminded us, time and again, why we were doing this in the first place.

More than a bandmate, Neil was family. The kind of friend who would drive across town at 2 a.m. just to sit with you after a bad day. The kind of soul who remembered your birthday, your parents’ names, and that one obscure track you loved from an out-of-print vinyl. He had a warmth that was effortless, and a loyalty that was unshakable.

We shared more than just music. We shared dreams. We shared struggle. We shared success and failure and everything in between. And through it all, Neil remained a quiet force of strength and grace.

The last time we played together, I remember looking over my shoulder mid-song and seeing that familiar look of focus and fire in his eyes. That was Neil. Even in the smallest gig, even when no one was watching, he played like the music meant something — because to him, it always did.

Neil’s passing leaves an unfillable void. Our hearts are shattered, and our thoughts are with his family, his loved ones, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing the man behind the drums. His spirit echoes in every song we ever played. His memory lives on in the rhythms he laid down and in the love he gave so freely.

To those who knew Neil — whether you heard him play, shared a laugh with him, or stood by his side in any chapter of life — we ask that you hold him in your heart. Celebrate his life not just in sorrow, but in the joy and the music he brought into this world.

Rest in rhythm, Neil. We will never forget you. Your beat goes on in all of us.