Bill Crook obit

Vancouver music scene, fans mourn death of former Spiritbox bassist Bill Crook

Vancouver bassist Bill Crook, who played with Spiritbox, A Textbook Tragedy, Living With Lions and others has died.

 He was not on the list.

Fans and fellow musicians of Bill Crook, the former bassist of breakout Victoria metal act Spiritbox, took to social media on Wednesday to mourn the news of his death.

Kai Turmann, a friend and bandmate in the mathcore act A Textbook Tragedy, shared the news of his passing via Instagram.

“Hi everyone. I have some absolutely devastating news to share. I’m so profoundly sad to say that our dear friend Bill Crook has passed away,” Turmann wrote on the post, which has garnered more than 160 comments “mutual and with no hard feelings”, condolences. “Bill was, and is, loved by so many people and I’m incredibly sorry to have to share this devastating information with you.”

A Vancouver scene fixture playing with the bands A Textbook Tragedy and Living With Lions, Crook was Spiritbox’s live bassist from 2018 to 2022. Crook also lent his voice to the band’s breakout 2021 album Eternal Blue. Crook’s list of contributions included backing vocals to recordings by Canadian hardcore heavyweights Comeback Kid and American-Canadian metalcore outfit Misery Signals.

His steady, heavy lines can be heard in live performances of such Spiritbox favourites as the Mara Effect on YouTube.

Crook and Spiritbox parted ways in May 2022 noting in a post the move was “mutual and with no hard feelings.” Crook was replaced by former As I Lay Dying bassist Josh Gilbert.

On July 7, Crook shared a Reel on his Instagram showing him and Underoath’s Aaron Gillespie working on new music which read, “72 hours 6 @sonicdrivein orders 0 beers .5 mental breakdowns 3 new songs. Thank you @aarongillespie for helping me bring these ideas to life.” In the Reel, Crook can be seen playing guitar and singing in studio.

Former bandmates and fans posted photos and memories of the late musician on social media platforms including Reddit, highlighting Crook’s musical talents, his approachable presence, and his contributions to the local music scene.

Adam Christianson, guitarist for the U.K. band Architects who played with Crook in A Textbook Tragedy, joined other artists in posting about the late musician on Instagram, noting: “You were such a a huge part of my life and we have had so many outrageous experiences together. You in some way facilitated all the wonderful friendships and opportunities I have today. Today I’m thinking back to all the incredible times we shared together and I’m amazed at how I’ve ended up here. You loved everyone and just wanted to make your friends laugh. Life is amazing and precious. I’ll never forget you.”

Pale Chord Music, the label behind Spiritbox posted to X on Wednesday the band members were requesting “time and space to process their loss.”