Derf Scratch, original bassist for the seminal L.A. hardcore band Fear, has died. At this time, no details have been released about the circumstances of Scratch's death or his age. Fear became famous for its confrontational live appearances, chronicled in The Decline of Western Civilization and the 1981 Halloween episode of Saturday Night Live, which featured a mix of music, caustic banter, and some physical altercations between the band and fans. Scratch left Fear in 1982, after the band released The Record. [Pitchfork]
