UNEARTH To Be Rejoined By Drummer DEREK KERSWILL For This Weekend's Benefit Concert

February 15, 2011

Massachusetts metallers UNEARTH will be rejoined by their former drummer Derek Kerswill for an appearance at a benefit concert for their ex-bass player Chris "Rover" Rybicki, who tragically lost his life at the hands of an alleged drunk driver this past September. The show will take place this coming Saturday, February 19 at Saint Michaels Hall in Lynn, Massachusetts and will feature a performance by another one of Rover's former bands, NO CHOICE, as well as sets by SCREAMS OF ERIDA and GASKET. All proceeds will go directly to the Rybicki family.

Commented UNEARTH: "In an effort to keep the focus on recording our new album and to show everyone that we are still indeed friends with our former drummer Derek Kerswill and that our split was solely because of 'creative differences,' we have decided that he is the best fit to play drums for us at Roverfest this Saturday night.

"Both the band and Derek agree that this was the best way to end our chapter together while also paying tribute to our fallen friend and former bassist Chris 'Rover' Rybicki. So if you are attending the show on Saturday at St. Michaels Hall in Lynn, you will get a chance to see our last gig with Kerswill."

For more information, go to this location.

Rybicki passed away on September 20, 2010 from injuries sustained in an accident when the scooter he was riding on was hit by an allegedly drunk woman.

According to The Salem News, Rybicki was riding a scooter in Salem, Massachusetts on August 28 when it collided with a 2008 Volkswagen Passat driven by Beth MacGillivary (photo of crash scene).

MacGillivary failed two field sobriety tests and had a blood alcohol level of .17, more than twice the legal limit, police said.

Rybicki was a member of UNEARTH from 1998 to 2002. He played on the band's first two EPs — "Above The Fall Of Man" (1999) and "Endless" (2002) — as well as the group's full-length debut, "The Stings Of Conscience" (2001).

The Salem News listed Rybicki's age at the time of his death as 39 while The Daily Item reported that he was 35 years old.

UNEARTH previously stated about Rybicki, "Not only was Rover a talented musician, but he was also one of the funniest dudes you would ever know. His wit, dark humor and don't-give-a-fuck attitude made him a unique person that we all loved having in our lives. His memory will live on amongst his family and friends with the countless stories of Rover being Rover. He will be sorely and forever missed."

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