Cheer Up Dusty Bassist Patrick Desiato Dies at Age 36

Patrick Desiato, who played bass and wrote songs for the Philadelphia rock band Cheer Up Dusty, has died at the age of 36. The band announced his death on November 10, stating that he passed away on November 9, though they did not reveal the cause of death.

Band Tribute

His bandmates shared an emotional tribute on Instagram to remember him as a close friend and a major part of the group. They called him a creative mastermind and described him as the brain and heart of the band. During his final days, his family played him the band's song "I Believe in You" as he was dying. Desiato wrote and arranged the music for that entire 2021 release, which is titled EP 2: A Collection of Singles, and he recorded all the guitar and bass parts himself.

Musical Work

Desiato also helped write the band's 2022 single "Everybody Hates Me," which the group called its biggest song. Guitarist Brayan Marin said Desiato initially doubted his ability to create a bass part for the track before proving he could jam and be creative on the fly. Desiato kept making music even as his health worsened, getting credit for bass on the March single "Everybody Hates Me II" and recording at home when he could no longer go to the studio.

Future Releases

Cheer Up Dusty confirmed that his bass recordings will appear in upcoming releases planned through 2027. The band has permission to use the demos and lyrics he left behind.

Context

Musicians often leave behind unreleased demos, recordings, and lyrics when they pass away, which bands sometimes share with fans later. Philadelphia has a long history of active local rock and indie music scenes with independent bands building audiences through singles and EPs.