Steve Soto, the founder of seminal US punk bands The Adolescents and Agent Orange, has died at the age of 54.
A cause of death is yet to be revealed, but his passing was announced on Twitter by Adolescents bandmate Tony Reflex.
“With heavy heart I share the passing of Steve Soto, my friend and bandmate since 1979,” Reflex wrote.
with heavy heart i share the passing of steve soto, my friend and bandmate since 1979. i dont know what to do. or to say.
goodbye my brother.
— The Adolescents (@TheAdolescents) June 28, 2018
“I don’t know what to do. Or to say. Goodbye my brother.”
Soto had only finished a tour of America’s East Coast with the band last weekend, and was due to head on a European tour later this summer.
“Steve had just returned home from a successful east coast tour with The Adolescents and spent Tuesday evening doing what he loved to do; recording and making music with his friends Greg Antista and Jim Monroe, and was very much looking forward to the upcoming European tour starting next week,” the band and Soto’s family told Rolling Stone.
“Wednesday afternoon he passed away peacefully in his sleep. This has taken us all by surprise. Our hearts and prayers are now with his family and friends. We ask during this time to respect their privacy. Thank you so much for the years of love and support you have shown Steve and all of his bands. It means so much and will not be forgotten.”
We are devastated by the news of Steve Soto’s passing. He played in so many great bands, was a great bass player, guitar player, & singer, but mostly he was just an honest & sweet guy. He was our hero in the Adolescents and an inspiration to us as musicians. #heartbroken
— The Offspring (@offspring) June 28, 2018
Paying tribute on Instagram, Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong wrote: “I looked at Instagram and saw people eulogizing Steve Soto died. Life isn’t fair. Sometimes it just sucks.. But music can help you feel like you’re not alone. Amoeba did that for me last night. RIP Steve Soto.”
The Offspring wrote on Twitter: “We are devastated by the news of Steve Soto’s passing. He played in so many great bands, was a great bass player, guitar player, & singer, but mostly he was just an honest & sweet guy. He was our hero in the Adolescents and an inspiration to us as musicians.”
Although known for his solo work, Soto was most renowed for his work with The Adolescents.h
He co-founded Agent Orange in 1979, before leaving the band within a year to form the Adolescents.
Between 1981 and 2016, the group recorded eight albums, a period in which Soto also worked as a solo artist and played in numerous other groups