Last Thursday, May 31st, the DIY music community suffered a tragic loss. Ben Hutson, who had been performing acoustic folk-punk music for years under the name Mancub was killed in a senseless automobile accident while driving through West Virginia on tour returning to his home in Richmond, VA. His girlfriend Cayce and mandolin player Joe Waffles were also killed in the accident.

All three of the victims involved attended Richmond's Virginia Commonwealth University, and were active in the local music and activism communities. Just before the tour, Mancub finished recording his debut full length album, slated to be released by Richmond's Valiant Death record label, who Ben & Cayce actively worked for. As a tribute to their memory, and in an effort to share Mancub's music with the world, Valiant Death has released this CD, and is donating all the profits made to various vegan based organizations which the three victims supported. A limited 300 copies are being made in hopes of raising $1000 for the donation. You can order the album here.

Anyone interested in finding out information about memorial services, or other ways to support the memory and families of the victims may contact valiantdeath@hotmail.com.

This news comes just a little over a month after another Richmond musician and activist, Jonny Z, lost his life in Richmond.