You Say Party! We Say Die! drummer dies after onstage collapse

30-year-old You Say Party! We Say Die! drummer Devon Clifford has died after collapsing on stage during a gig Friday night.

Singer Becky Ninkovic is said to have asked fans at the Rickshaw Theatre to call for help after she realized Clifford had collapsed. Clifford was transported to the hospital, where he died Saturday. His family released a statement saying the drummer died of “a massive brain hemorrhage resulting from congenital defects.” Clifford’s family went on to say:

“Devon Clifford was an extremely gifted drummer and determined character. He loved his family, loved his band, loved travelling, loved being on stage and loved meeting people around the world. He was smart, witty, passionate, and music meant everything to him. He was also incredibly generous with his love and respected everybody he came into contact with. This was underlined by his work with the under privileged at the Portland Hotel Society.

“The Clifford family would like to take this opportunity to remind young people to have the courage to follow their dreams like Devon did.”

The band used Twitter to update fans on Clifford’s condition prior to his death:

there aren’t alot of words right now. let the doctors do their job.

We are devastated and trying to keep hope. He needs at miracle. Thank you.

The band’s last tweet simply stated:

DEVON CLIFFORD 1979 – 2010 R.I.P.

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