By Staff Reporter, The Province


Click to view image: 'YSPWSD'
Devon Clifford (far right) of You Say Party! We Say Die! collapsed during a show on Friday night and was later pronounced dead.


Devon Clifford, the drummer for popular local dance-punk band You Say Party! We Say Die!has died after collapsing during a show in the Downtown Eastside on Friday night.

Clifford, 30, was playing an all-ages concert with the energetic five-piece band at the Rickshaw Theatre when he collapsed 40 minutes into the show, reportedly from brain hemorrhage.

The band's label, Paper Bag Records released this statement on its website Sunday:

"It is with absolute sadness to report that our dear friend Devon Clifford, the drummer of You Say Party We Say Die, passed away last night in a Vancouver hospital surrounded by his family and friends. He will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him."

Stunned fans and friends are remembering Clifford in online tributes posted to the band's Facebook page, as not only the rhythmic backbone of the band, but the go-to-guy for a witty joke.

"We will miss you Devon ... there is a big drumbeat and funniness hole where you were," said Krista Morris Bones.

"Our sincere condolences to Devon's family and friends," said Marjo Gobes-Dipalo. "We will miss his smiles, his witty humour and the friendship he gave to our family."

"I've never met such a talented, fun, and genuinely nice musician," said Kevin Tolen.

YSPWSD, originally from Abbotsford, has a growing international following and performed last month at the high-profile SXSW festival in Austin, Texas. They were gaining steam locally too, after a set of successful shows in February, including a 2010 Cultural Olympiad date at the Orpheum, with French band Phoenix.

In a recent Canwest interview, lead singer Becky Ninkovic said the quintet was in a great place, and really looking forward to connecting with American fans who hadn't been able to see the group in five years due to one of the member's problems crossing the U.S. border.