Here at the MS Mansion we’re all still mourning the unexpected and tragic death of Cave In, Old Man Gloom and Zozobra bassist Caleb Scofield, who passed away at the end of March in a car accident. I can certainly empathize with how difficult it continues to be for Caleb’s family and close friends; I know all too well the heartache, confusion, anger and a zillion other indescribable emotions that come with the death of someone so close to you.

Pretty much the only thing that helps even a little is being around friends, and it seems as if Caleb’s bandmates in Old Man Gloom have been spending time grieving together to try and help each other through this. What’s more, they intend to soldier on as Old Man Gloom, an undertaking that will surely be emotionally difficult but will also likely bring some catharsis and relief.

Old Man Gloom drummer Santos Montano shared the following in a Facebook post:

“It’s been beautiful, heart warming, heart wrenching, horrible, and uplifting to see the outpouring of love coming in from all over the planet. “This has been the toughest week that many of us have ever had to live through, and without the support of all the other people who are feeling the void left by our friend, we would have been truly lost. I was held up, physically and emotionally by someone I hadn’t seen in 15 years during the memorial. “I gave hugs to people I hadn’t seen in decades, and felt true love in every single one without having to share a single word, and a few times, I didn’t, I just walked away, and it was understood that speaking wasn’t necessary. I’ve read sweet sincere words from a hundred and fifty strangers, and only one or two dudes being assholes. I watched the fund climb and climb and climb, even today, almost entirely from people who didn’t know Caleb, but truly loved him and felt they wanted to repay that love by supporting his family. “That’s incredible. “I am taking genuine comfort from how beautiful our community is. I’ve said it many times, and will continue to say it, thank you to everyone, you all have acted with love, dignity, and respect during this time. I’m so grateful. “One last thing. “In a quiet moment, in a very loud room filled with more people than I could count, Aaron and I were sitting across from one another, totally drained, zombiefied, just looking at each other. He leaned towards me, and I leaned towards him. He quietly said ‘Santos, do you still want to do Old Man Gloom?’ “My stomach dropped, and I responded ‘we have to now. We don’t have a choice.’ We spoke to Nate and he agreed. I don’t know what it means, or how it will manifest itself, but we will continue and do our best to honor Caleb, and that means we must exist. “I share this very private moment because I truly feel after this week you are all a part of our story so much more than I ever realized. Thank you for showing us that. We love you all. “I promise I’ll get back to being a shithead soon. I don’t know when, but eventually. Things are just different now. They’ll be different forever. That being said, I’m a shithead at my core, so you know, it’ll start creeping out soon enough. “–Santos“

Continuing to wish everyone close to Caleb the best. Hoepfully we’ll see Old Man Gloom up on stage sooner rather than later, but whenever they decide they’re ready — and how they choose to continue on — is just fine with us.