When Denver psychedelic-funk band Autonomix played a gig last September 5, keyboardist Josh Nermon and bassist Danny Littler had no clue it would be the last time they’d share the stage with guitarist Zack Smith.
But five days later, Smith, 31, was fatally shot following a traffic collision in Denver. Nermon says the case is still being investigated. Smith’s death was a shocking event in an already difficult year, and to say Nermon and Littler were at a loss is an understatement.
Nermon met the guitarist in 2011, when Smith was a member of the electro-funk group Vine Street Vibes, and the two immediately hit it off. They d grown close over the years through their shared love of music, and losing his friend was devastating for Nermon.