Chuck Criss, a multi-instrumentalist who performed in the indie rock band Freelance Whales, has died at the age of 36.
His brother, Glee actor Darren Criss, yesterday (March 2) shared news of his passing, revealing that Chuck had taken his own life after years of “severe depression”.
“I loved my brother so much. And I know he loved me. Right out of the womb, he was my instant, ready-made best friend. And from that moment on, we absolutely loved being together,” Darren wrote in an Instagram post.
“As we got older, music became one of our greatest bonds. As an artist, he possessed a raw, inimitable talent that never ceased to inspire me.”
Elsewhere, Darren described his brother as “wickedly funny” and also remembered him as a doting father who adored his family and friends.
You can read Darren’s tribute in full above.
Chuck was a multi-instrumentalist in the New York band Freelance Whales from 2008-2014. The group released their second and final album, ‘Diluvia’, in 2012.
In 2017 Chuck and Darren joined forces for the project Computer Games and released an EP called ‘Lost Boys Life’.
Darren continued in his tribute: “The last several years were increasingly difficult for Chuck as he struggled to find stability during an unfortunate rough patch in his life.
“Despite our very vocal concerns about his well-being, and his protestations that everything was fine, it’s crushing to say now that Chuck clearly had had a severe depression welling up in him for some time, a depression that was only worsened by a lifelong struggle he had with expressing his feelings – a dangerous combination truly outmatched by his all-too-incredible ability to conceal it. Not just from the world at large, but most tragically, from the people who were closest to him.”
FOR HELP AND ADVICE ON MENTAL HEALTH:
- YOUNG MINDS – The voice for young people’s health and wellbeing
- MIND – For mental health support, advice and awareness
- CALM – The Campaign Against Living Miserably for young men
- Time To Change – Let’s end mental health discrimination
- The Samaritans – Confidential support 24 hours a day
The post Freelance Whales bandmember Chuck Criss dies aged 36 appeared first on NME.
