Razorback’s drummer Brian Velasco films 34-floor plunge to suicide

“Today we lost our brother….and our hearts are broken…..we love you and we will always miss you Bri. #rzrbk” (Photo: Razorback/Facebook)

The Philippine music industry mourns the death of rock band Razorback’s drummer, 41-year-old Brian Velasco, who reportedly jumped 34 floors down his apartment in City Land Tower 1 in Malate, Manila last Wednesday, January 16, while recording the suicide on Facebook live.

Razorback’s Facebook page first confirmed the news, telling fans, “Today, we lost our brother and our hearts are broken. We love you and we will always miss you, Bri.

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A video on Brian’s Facebook page, now taken down, shows the drummer filming himself jumping off the building at around 9:40 am, mumbling in Filipino, “Please take care of Pochito. Here we go. Here I go.” He was then found wearing a white polo shirt and jeans with injuries on his body and legs. According to Police, Brian’s body was then turned over to Paz Funeral Homes in Parañaque City.

Brian’s family has since requested for the musician’s body to be turned over to them and for no further police investigation to be conducted, Brian’s brother Gabriel Angelo telling investigators that the drummer has long suffered from depression.

Many from the Philippine music industry mourn the loss of Brian Velasco, his name trending on social media soon after his death.

Fellow musician Francis Reyes tweets, “Hey Brian, I hope you have your peace now. Will remember all the fun and funny times, and your forceful drumming,” while another user shared, “We grew up listening to legends like Brian Velasco. May he finally rest in peace.”

Velasco established his name with the local rock band Razorback in 1996 after replacing original drummer Miguel Ortigas. He has aided the group in becoming a household name in the industry, being a part of their second album “Beggar’s Moon.” A week before his death, Razorback was part of the benefit concert of Original Pilipino Music (OPM) legend, Wally Gonzalez.