ANGER AS ART bassist Steve Gains has issued the following in regards to the passing of former bandmate, original BITCH drummer Robby Settles, who passed away at approximately 7 AM on May 26th due to complications from an almost year-long battle with leukemia:

"Just a word about the passing of Robby Settles. Obviously this is not Bitch's web page, but I wanted to make a comment about him, and what he meant.

There seemed to be a lot of losses of people who were influential in the month of May. But, one that really hit me was the passing of my friend and bandmate Robby Settles.

Robby was a huge influence on me and on the way I conducted myself over the years – even today. It was about the approach to your craft – to never go half assed. In 2004, I was asked to join Bitch as their bass player – a gig that I have relished. While I was not there for the glory days of the 80’s (I was in a couple of other glorious bands at the time), the impact they had on me still held true. He was a kind hearted gentle giant.

I have played with a lot of drummers in my career. There is a certain standard that I look for – one that very few can hold. Robby certainly held it. He had a consistent solid approach that was somewhere between John Bonham and Buddy Rich. There was an extreme confidence to perform with Robby – just seeing him behind the kit in complete control while the mayhem and theatrics were going on was a great feeling. Every fill was consistent and solid, and he was a human metronome. The mark of a great drummer is when you can tell who it is simply by the way they hit their snare drum. Robby was one of those guys. His influence on Bitch is such that it bears questioning whether or not the band continues without him. Those shoes cannot be filled.

Before he became ill (leukemia is what took him), he tracked nearly 2 albums worth of songs for an anticipated new Bitch album. A lot of love will go into those tracks to give a final chapter to his legacy.

He leaves behind a lovely wife and 3 daughters. His legacy is certainly intact. He knew a lot of people, and everyone who knew him has shed a tear for our fallen brother. When they say 'only the good die young', no truer statement could be made about a person."