RIP Mitch Lucker of Suicide Silence, Kenadee Lucker benefit

Mitch Lucker passed away the other week from a motorcycle accident. Mitch was the frontman for Suicide Silence and a father. Despite their intense band name, the five make up some of the most caring people I ever met. Check out what they did for some kids during the holidays here. I had the opportunity to photograph them several times over the past five years. I wash’t extremely close with Mitch, but whenever we saw each other we were able to hang out. I never did a tour with Suicide Silence, however they were on Warped Tour at the same time I was in 2010. When you tour with someone you grow close to them as you hang out and see them everyday. You might not see them again for another year or so, but the friendship doesn’t fade. It takes a backseat until your next encounter with said friend. I have never had someone I photographed multiple times end up dying. It’s a wild thing to come to terms with and gathering the images below brought me to tears on multiple occasions.

Before I get into the images I want to say that Mitch left behind a daughter that he cared dearly about. I am making two prints I have of him available for purchase. All profits go to Kenadee Lucker’s education fund. You can also donate directly to her at www.suicidesilence.net

This image is my favorite image to date prior to Mitch’s death, and because of these recent events I don’t imagine I will ever be able to top it.

Purchase limited edition print of Kenadee and Mitch Lucker — Purchase A Limited Edition Print

Oli of Bring Me The Horizon was kind enough to team up with me to sell this image. All orders of this image will first be delivered to Oli in London. He will then sign, write a message for Mitch, and mail them out to you on his own dollar. Thanks Oli, means a lot.

purchase limited edition print of Oliver Sykes and Mitch Lucker — Purchase A Limited Edition Print

Photoshopped example of what your order will look like

Robot Mosh Fest at Skate Country in West Bend, Wisconsin on August 21st, 2006

They put my image on their Myspace after this show and my 16-year-old self was more stoked than ever.

Show at The Orchard Inn in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin on May 26th, 2007

I talked to Mitch after this show and referenced above images, he recalled them and told me how much he loved them, he gave me his Sidekick e-mail address, I think it was Mitchypoo@tmail.com. Again, my 17-year-old self was so excited.

Show at The Orchard Inn in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin on September 20th, 2007

Second show at same venue, didn’t talk to him this time though.

South By So What at the Dr. Pepper Arena in Frisco, Texas on March 14th, 2010

I emailed their manager and he set up this quick shoot for me with the guys during the day. This was my first time working with the band.

Outtake from photo shoot with Suicide Silence

Photo shoot with Suicide Silence — Image that was used from this shoot with Suicide Silence

Various Warped Tour 2010 images

I hung out with everyone in the band on several different occasions during the summer of 2010, after all we spent about 50 days on the same tour. It was a wild summer.

Mitch Lucker heading off stage right after finishing his set in Charlotte, North Carolina

Mitch Lucker cooling off after finishing his set in Charlotte, North Carolina

Suicide Silence pre-show routine of calling their old tech on speakerphone

Suicide Silence standing side stage before their set, accompanied by stage manager Trevor

Mitch Lucker of Suicide Silence Live — Mitch Lucker of Suicide Silence live

Oliver Sykes of Bring Me The Horizon and Mitch Lucker of Suicide Silence hanging out in Las Vegas

Show at Soma in San Diego, California on October 28th, 2010

I met up with my buddy from Minneapolis who was on the road with Suicide Silence being their “party tech”. He let me shoot around a bunch before doors. Mitch’s daughter just so happened to be at this show and I grabbed a bunch of images of them together. It means a lot to me when someone lets me photograph them with their kid, it takes a certain amount of trust. I appreciated him letting me do so.

Mitch Lucker and Kenadee Lucker riding around the venue floor before doors

Mitch and Kenadee Lucker portrait — Stopped them for a tiny bit to take a portrait

Mitch and Kenadee Lucker — Kiss on the forehead

These next few images all took place before Mitch headed to stage to play that night. Basically we were all sitting backstage when Mitch started stretching. Kenadee walked up to him and started copying everything he did in her own little way.