Brian Montana, the original guitarist for the influential death metal band Possessed, was tragically killed in a police shootout in San Francisco earlier this week. The incident, which took place on April 28, involved a dispute with a neighbor that escalated into a violent confrontation.
Incident Details
According to reports from The Daily Journal, the altercation began over Montana’s annoyance with his neighbor’s tree branches and leaves encroaching on his yard. Authorities were alerted when the neighbor claimed Montana threatened him with a firearm. Upon police arrival, the situation had already deteriorated, with Montana firing multiple rounds at the neighbor’s residence, leading the neighbor to call for assistance.
Montana then exchanged gunfire with the police from his driveway while taking cover behind vehicles and landscaping. Sadly, he was shot and killed at the scene, at the age of 60. The neighbor sustained a grazed wound during the incident and was transported to the hospital.
District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe commented, “On the shooter’s side, there was some alcohol involved. His death is a tragedy, but it’s fortunate that nobody else wasn’t hit or injured more seriously.” Montana’s identity was confirmed by authorities the following day.
Montana’s Legacy with Possessed
Brian Montana joined Possessed in 1983 after responding to an advertisement for a guitarist placed by founding members Mike Torrao and Mike Sus in the Bay Area music scene. The band recorded a demo entitled *Death Metal* in 1984, but Montana departed shortly thereafter.
Reflecting on his time with the band, Montana shared in an interview with Voices From the Darkside, “After I joined the band, yes, we hung out together a lot. I was the original guitarist besides Torrao, so when I joined we were still just a garage band; didn’t even have our first gig yet.” He went on to describe the camaraderie that developed as they began playing clubs, stating, “After we started playing the clubs, we bonded more and had a lot more fun with it.”
However, tensions arose, leading to his departure. “I left the band because Torrao had a terrible attitude problem and wouldn’t stop ragging at me,” Montana explained. “He was like some senile old lady that just wouldn’t shut up. He had a problem with my image. He didn’t think I was evil enough or something.”
Tragic History: Possessed Vocalist Jeff Becerra
Adding to the band’s history of violence, longtime vocalist Jeff Becerra was left paralyzed in 1989 after being shot during a robbery. At the time, Possessed had disbanded, and Becerra was working a construction job when the incident occurred. He recounted the harrowing experience, stating, “We scuffled, there was no way out of it and I ended up getting shot a couple of times.” He described the physical impact of the bullets, revealing that a 9-millimeter slug remained lodged in his spine.
In a remarkable turn of events, Becerra walked for the first time in over three decades in September 2021, aided by robotic legs.
Conclusion
The death of Brian Montana serves as a somber reminder of the complexities surrounding the lives of musicians, particularly those in the heavy metal genre. His contributions to the early days of death metal through his work with Possessed will not be forgotten, but the circumstances of his passing raise important questions about mental health and conflict resolution within the community.
FAQs
What led to the police shootout involving Brian Montana?
The shootout was the result of a dispute between Montana and his neighbor over tree branches and leaves falling into Montana’s yard, which escalated when he threatened the neighbor with a gun.
What was Brian Montana’s role in Possessed?
Brian Montana was the original guitarist for Possessed, joining the band in 1983 and contributing to their early work before leaving later that year.
What happened to Possessed’s vocalist, Jeff Becerra?
Jeff Becerra, the band’s longtime vocalist, was left paralyzed after being shot during a robbery in 1989. He has since made significant progress, including walking with robotic assistance.
