Plane Crash in San Diego Devastates Alternative Rock Community

NEW YORK (AP) — The niche music scene is grieving following
a private jet
struck a power line during foggy conditions early Thursday and crashed into a residential area of San Diego, resulting in several fatalities aboard.

One of them was the pioneering
music executive Dave Shapiro
, a cornerstone of his local music community, and Daniel Williams, who previously played drums for the well-known Ohio-based metalcore group The Devil Wears Prada. Among those also deceased were Kendall Fortner, aged 24, and Emma Huke, 25, both staff members at Shapiro’s Sound Talent Group; Celina Marie Rose Kenyon, 36, a professional photographer; and Dominic Christopher Damian, 41.

Williams and Shapiro both stood out as success stories within their individual rock music scenes—evidence that these subcultures’ sounds truly resonated with mainstream audiences.

The band led by Williams, known for achieving two top-10 placements on the Billboard 200 chart, was represented by Sound Talent Group. This agency was co-founded in 2018 by Shapiro alongside colleagues Tim Borror and Matt Andersen. Both Borror and Andersen brought experience from their previous roles at The Agency Group and United Talent Agency respectively.

The Sound Talent Group represents bands primarily within pop-punk, metalcore, post-hardcore, and various other prominent hard rock genres like
Sum 41
, Pierce the Veil, Parkway Drive, Silverstein, I Prevail — along with pop artists such as the 1990s sibling boy band Hanson, famous for their hit “MMMBop,” and Vanessa Carlton, who performed “A Thousand Miles (Interlude).”

The post-hardcore group Thursday referred to Shapiro, aged 42, as an inspiration “who attained success but always remembered the scenes and the communities where they originated.”

“It’s challenging to express just how significant this person was to so many of us,” stated Pierce the Veil, who have been entertaining audiences for almost 20 years now—including their recent sellout show at New York City’s Madison Square Garden—on the social media platform X as part of their tribute.

The WorldAlive, a group affiliated with Shapiro’s record label, stated that he was considered “one of the most impactful and uplifting figures within our musical community and far beyond.” They also mentioned that Dan was “among the most influential and positive presences at the drum set.”

Soon after punk rock became part of popular culture in the late ’70s, it sparked various sub-genres driven by its “DIY” and communal values: hardcore punk led to post-hardcore, metalcore, emo, and more. Over time, these styles transformed both musically and culturally, transitioning from niche appeal at shows in informal venues like garages and basements to achieving significant mainstream recognition, all while maintaining their indie spirit.

Thomas Gutches, who oversees Beartooth and Archetypes Collide, reminisced about an era when up-and-coming groups such as The Devil Wears Prada began their journey performing at “do-it-yourself” gigs in his native Columbus, Ohio. During this period, audiences could watch 10 bands play for just $5.

Gutches mentioned that Shapiro “was single-handedly nurturing the emergence of this new generation of bands.” According to him, “he managed to gather these groups, bundle their efforts, and elevate them onto a bigger platform. … He took a chance by deciding, ‘Alright, I will push them towards greater heights.'”

During the 2000s and 2010s, these musicians achieved a pinnacle of success. Bands that were once relatively unknown gained followers through early social media sites such as MySpace, within the alternative scene at stores like Hot Topic, or via niche magazines like Alternative Press. They eventually transformed into regular fixtures on MTV and rose to prominence as public figures in their own right.

Even though many of these bands performed styles that were alike yet distinct — consider the rapid drumming techniques typical of metalcore alongside the staccato power chords found in pop-punk genres —
Vans Warped Tour
—they came together through their common love for punk rock. Over the past several decades, these close-knit bands have been the leading influence in alternative rock, as stated by Mike Shea, the creator of “Alternative Press.” He characterized the scene using the term “community.”

Shea mentioned that Shapiro played a crucial role in introducing these punk rock subcultures to a wider audience.

In this music industry, far too many individuals exploit others,” he stated. “Dave stood out from them; his spirit was pure and uplifting, serving as a beacon of guidance for all those around him. Many found motivation through Dave’s example, and they will undoubtedly keep drawing inspiration from him.

It wasn’t just musicians; many booking agents, band managers, tour managers, and promoters also received significant opportunities due to Shapiro, according to Gutches.

The groups Shapiro represents include some of the most prominent acts within their genre and community, such as the Grammy-nominated Sum 41 or the multi-platinum band Pierce the Veil.

This also encompasses The Devil Wears Prada, one of the most renowned metalcore groups over the past several decades, known for blending melodic punk rock with metallic elements. According to Shea, “they gained widespread recognition during Williams’ time with the band.”

Gutches mentioned that Williams enthralled spectators during performances just as much as a lead singer would, highlighting his drumming style: “Daniel turned each performance into a show through the way he played.”

Shea mentioned that the tributes will keep coming for both individuals, as an increasing number of artists share how Williams and Shapiro influenced their lives.

For instance, “Dave Shapiro has had more of an impact on shaping me as a professional adult than anyone else,” stated Skyler Acord, the bassist from the metalcore band Issues through Instagram.

When tensions rose, his group started using a catchphrase aimed at encouraging everyone to stay calm and make an effort to comprehend one another, as he explained.

We would say, ‘Do it for Dave.’

___

Jaimie Ding from Los Angeles and Rio Yamat from Las Vegas contributed as Associated Press writers.

Maria Sherman, The Canadian Press