Scott Alcoholocaust, Legendary Bay Area Punk Promoter, Dies at 54

Legendary San Francisco punk promoter Scott Alcoholocaust has died at the age of 54, after an 18-month battle with metastatic prostate cancer. Alcoholocaust—whose real name was Scott Rogers—had been deeply involved in the Bay Area underground scene for 25 years. In that time, he booked more than 4,000 shows, and garnered a reputation for being among the most passionate and dedicated promoters in punk.

Alcoholocaust’s diagnosis was first publicly announced in February 2020. At that time, a GoFundMe campaign to help with his medical and living expenses raised over $140,000—a testament to how beloved he was in the community, and how many lives he touched. As word of his passing spread online, an outpouring of love and appreciation ensued for his work ethic, his larger-than-life personality, and the support he tirelessly gave to local musicians.

Scott Alcoholocaust was a legendary booker and a great friend to many. He regularly invited my band to the Knockout and other venues when we first started playing shows. He was an ally & an advocate for the underdog; a true original. The SF punk music scene owes it to Scott. pic.twitter.com/80eTzeVGfd

— KⒶCHINA (@KochinaRude) June 18, 2021

I’m gutted over the news of #scottalcoholocaust passing. Nobody has done more than Scott in the last 30 years to promote and build the vibrant Bay Area music scene. I’m not clear how to go forward without him but I am clear that he would want us to. Rest easy old friend. pic.twitter.com/rwChW8Azig

— Jeremy LaCroix (@J_LaCroix) June 18, 2021

“Scott fought his illness with courage and humility, taking scheduled hikes around S.F. with friends he’d made along the way,” Fleshies drummer Brian Hamilton told KQED. “I can say that my life has been better for knowing him, and his contributions to music and community. He was genuine in his occupation. I admire that he picked something he loved and did it. His presence will be sorely missed but not forgotten.”

Alcoholocaust first moved to San Francisco in 1988 from Nevada City. His booking career began seven years later under the moniker Alcoholocaust Presents, which became Depth Charge Presents in 2016. He is remembered for the generosity he showed others; frequently housing bands himself, and sharing mementos with loved ones and friends in the final year of his life.

For those who encountered him in a professional capacity, Alcoholocaust also stood out as singularly memorable in a sea of other promoters. Travis Hayes first encountered him while Hayes was working as a booker at Thee Parkside in 2010.

“He was one of the few outside promoters that [Thee Parkside] worked with,” Hayes tells KQED. “And every single band he ever worked with just loved him—not one of them ever had a bad word to say about him. There’s a lot to be said for that. I remember at one point, he was doing multiple shows at multiple venues on the same night. So he’d be running to Parkside from a day show at Bender’s, then running to the Knockout for a later show. He booked good shows, but he was only making tens of dollars per show. I honestly don’t know how he did it. He was the coolest.”

Alcoholocaust’s partner Emily Wentz announced his passing via Facebook, late in the day on June 17. “He was at home with me, his mother Lorna and cousin Gina to soothe him on his journey to the other side,” she wrote. “He fought so hard this last year and a half and I’m so proud of him, but I’m glad he’s no longer in pain … There will be a memorial in the city where we will all be able to raise our glasses to him and share our memories. Some of his last words were how much he loves all his friends.”

Copyright 2021 KQED