Tom Guernsey of the Hangmen passes away

chas_kit

G45 Legend
Joined
Apr 25, 2011
Location
Hudson Valley, NY
Tom Guernsey, guitarist and song writer with the Reekers ("Don't Call Me Flyface" / "Grindin" on Ru-Jac), and the Hangmen ("What a Girl Can't Do", "Faces" and more), and producer of the Piece Kor ("All I Want is My Baby Back" / "Words of the Raven" on Laray) and the Omegas ("I Can't Believe" / "Mr Yates" on UA), among other accomplishments, passed away on October 3, 2012, after fighting both pneumonia and ALS.

I interviewed Tom for one of the earliest features I did on Garage Hangover. He kept in touch through the years, calling me with news on his film project and sending me CDs of his music and the 45 release of the Reekers/Omegas. I'll miss talking to him. He was full of ideas and creative energy throughout his life, and very proud of his musical legacy.

http://www.garagehangover.com/?q=Reekers
http://www.garagehangover.com/?q=Hangmen
 
What horrible news. Tom was so involved with and excited about his Reekers movie. I'm very sorry to hear this.
 
That's awful news. There's no doubt the guy was a musical genius. Faces is just awesome, with its crunching fuzz, chilling lyrics and hypnotic 4-note bassline.
And "The Girl Who Faded Away" is just more proof.
 
Sad news. The Reekers were one of the first rock & roll bands that I ever saw playing live. Tom and his brother were also a common sight at our local drug store back in the Reekers/Hangmen days (Connecticut-Knowles Pharmacy in Kensington, Maryland...which is right across the street from one of the infamous 'D.C. Sniper' kill sites). Another local music legend gone to ground.
 
The first 2 Hangman 45s are absolutely essential. For those alone, the band has more than earned its place in the Garage Band Hall of Fame.
 
Sad news. Tom and I had some contact a few years ago when The Maggots released What A Girl Can't Do on 45, which I sent him a few copies of. He liked it, but rightly thought The Lyres version is the best cover version of it.
We kept in touch for quite a while. Very nice guy. R.I.P.