Steve Soto, founding member of ’80s SoCal punks the Adolescents and numerous other bands, died Wednesday (June 27) at age 54.
The Adolescents, who just wrapped up a U.S. tour, confirmed the news via Twitter, while Soto’s friend and collaborator Greg Antista noted he died “peacefully in his sleep” in a Facebook post. No cause of death has been reported.
with heavy heart i share the passing of steve soto, my friend and bandmate since 1979. i dont know what to do. or to say.
goodbye my brother.
— The Adolescents (@TheAdolescents) June 28, 2018
Details for a Soto memorial will be posted “as plans are finalized,” Antista said.
After a brief stint with fellow California punks Agent Orange, Soto co-founded the Adolescents in 1980. He remained their bass player through all eras of band activity (1980-81, 1986-98, 2001 through today), in addition to time with fellow punk outfits Legal Weapon, Joyride, 22 Jacks, the Chicano punk band Manic Hispanic, and others.
The Adolescents had just completed a small East Coast tour on June 24 and are planning to release a new studio album, Cropduster, on July 7. They currently have a handful of European dates planned, along with a stop at Chicago’s Riot Fest in September.
Here’s “Amoeba,” from the Adolescents’ classic 1981 self-titled debut: