TV On The Radio bass player Gerard Smith sadly passed away yesterday following his battle against lung cancer. This was announced on the band’s official site. Gerard Smith played on TV On The Radio’s last three albums, including their breakthrough records Return To Cookie Mountain and Dear Science.

It’s been no more than a week since their new album Nine Types Of Light was released, which effortlessly combined the bands multiple influences. The band stated in March on their website that Gerard has been undergoing treatment and "is receiving excellent medical care". Unfortunately this wasn’t enough. Gerard Smith was 34 years old.