Pierre Kezdy

Pierre Kezdy (January 4, 1962 – October 9, 2020) was an American bass player, known for playing with various Chicago punk bands, including Naked Raygun,[1] Pegboy,[2] Strike Under,[3] Arsenal, and Trial By Fire.[4] He was also the younger brother of Effigies frontman John Kezdy.

Pierre Kezdy
Kezdy performing in 2007
Kezdy performing in 2007
Background information
Born(1962-01-04)January 4, 1962
OriginChicago, Illinois, U.S.
DiedOctober 9, 2020(2020-10-09) (aged 58)
Glenview, Illinois, U.S.
GenresPunk rock
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Bass
Years active1980–2020
LabelsCaroline, Quarterstick, Wax Trax!, Riot Fest

Biography

Kezdy started with the band Strike Under in either 1979 or 1980. When Steve Bjorklund, the band's lead singer, left the band in 1981, the remaining members, including Kezdy, formed a new band called Trial By Fire. When that band folded in 1982, Kezdy went on to replace Camilo Gonzalez in Naked Raygun, joining them in time for their second album All Rise.[5] Naked Raygun ceased performing in 1992.[6] In 1994 Kezdy replaced Steve Saylors in Pegboy, the band started by former Naked Raygun bandmate John Haggerty. When Naked Raygun started playing again in 2007, Kezdy was replaced in Pegboy by Mike Thompson. Kezdy suffered a stroke in 2010[7] and was unable to perform live with Naked Raygun, so Sensitive Pete, who was already part of Jeff Pezzati's band, the Bomb, played bass for their live shows. Kezdy did re-join Naked Raygun for live shows in 2013, playing baritone guitar with Fritz Doreza playing bass.[7][6][8]

Other bands that Kezdy has played with include the Rainbow Girls (with his brother John Kezdy, of the Effigies), the Interceptors and Arsenal (both with Santiago Durango). Kezdy played a Gibson G3 bass guitar.

Kezdy was interviewed for the film You Weren't There and two of his bands (Naked Raygun and Strike Under) were profiled.[9]

Death

Kezdy died of cancer on October 9, 2020.[10]

Partial discography

Strike Under
  • Immediate Action 12" EP (1981)[3]

Naked Raygun

Pegboy

Reception
  • "Ex-Raygun bassist Pierre Kezdy's steely edge is further ferocious: even his old favorite J.J. Burnel of the Stranglers would karate-kick for such a ripping, trebly sharpness." (Jack Rabid, Allmusic)[19]
  • "Pierre Kezdy's bass gurgles blood on one track, and is swampy on the next." (Bob Gendron, Allmusic)[12]
  • "Pierre Kezdy's bass sounds like a power tool" (Greg Kot, Chicago Tribune)[21]

References
  1. Prato, Greg. Naked Raygun at AllMusic. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  2. Huey, Steve. Pegboy at AllMusic. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  3. Schaefer, Peter. Strike Under at AllMusic. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  4. Trial By Fire discography at Discogs
  5. Stegall, Tim (July 21, 2020), These 15 Punk Albums from 1985 are the Roots of Alternative Rock, Alt Press, retrieved September 17, 2020
  6. Roach, Cal (December 5, 2015), Reunited Naked Raygun has strong Turner Hall showing, The Milwaukee Record, retrieved September 17, 2020
  7. Carlton, Chris (August 12, 2011), Interview With Neutron Bombs/Naked Raygun/The Bomb Bass Player, Critical Mass, retrieved February 10, 2013
  8. Kot, Greg (August 27, 2015), Naked Raygun gets some payback from longtime fan Dave Grohl, Chicago Tribune, retrieved September 17, 2020
  9. Raymer, Miles (November 22, 2007), Chicago Punk, Vol. 1, Chicago Reader, retrieved February 10, 2013
  10. O'Donnell, Maureen (October 9, 2020). "Pierre Kezdy, bass player for influential punk rockers Naked Raygun, other Chicago bands, dead at 58". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  11. DaRonco, Mike. Naked Raygun - All Rise at AllMusic. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  12. Gendron, Bob. Naked Raygun - Jettison at AllMusic. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  13. Gendron, Bob. Naked Raygun - Understand? at AllMusic. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  14. Gendron, Bob. Naked Raygun - Raygun...Naked Raygun at AllMusic. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  15. Naked Raygun - Last Of The Demo Hicans at Discogs
  16. Naked Raygun - Free Shit at Discogs
  17. Naked Raygun - What Poor Gods We Do Make: Story and Music Behind Naked Raygun DVD (2007), Punknews.org, December 11, 2007, retrieved February 10, 2013
  18. Foss, Richard. Pegboy - Earwig at AllMusic. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  19. Rabid, Jack. Pegboy - Cha Cha Damore at AllMusic. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  20. Gubbins, Teresa (February 6, 1998), Pegboy, The Dallas Morning News, retrieved February 10, 2013
  21. Kot, Greg (November 8, 1990), Made in Chicago Naked Raygun's 5th, Pegboy's 1st top the good stuff from local talent, Chicago Tribune, retrieved February 10, 2013
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