On Thursday, August 31, 2023, the punk and hardcore community mourns the loss of Dave Stein, known as “the hardcore attorney.” A central figure in the East Coast hardcore and punk scene, Dave’s contributions went beyond the legal world. This article pays tribute to his life, career, and his enduring impact on the hardcore scene. Keep reading more.
Who Was Dave Stein?
Dave Stein was more than just an entertainment lawyer; he was a driving force behind the East Coast punk and hardcore scene. His journey began in the 1980s when he founded the Albany Hardcore Scene, leaving an indelible mark on the hardcore community. He was not just a legal representative; he was a DIY promoter, label creator, performer, and a catalyst for the scene’s growth.
More About Dave Stein’s Career
Dave’s career was a multifaceted one, reflecting his unwavering commitment to punk and hardcore. He managed labels like Combined Effort and Reconstruction, releasing music from influential bands like Beyond, Supertouch, and Absolution. As an attorney, he represented notable acts, including Taking Back Sunday, contributing significantly to the hardcore and metal landscape.
How did Dave Stein Die? What Actually Happened?
Dave Stein’s sudden passing has left a void in the hearts of those who knew him. Despite facing numerous health challenges throughout his life, including a battle with cancer, he remained resilient. Dave was a proponent of a vegan diet and embraced a positive mental attitude (PMA). His relentless work ethic and ability to find humor even in the most challenging situations were legendary traits.
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Elissa Stein
This morning the world lost the most resilient, awe-inspiring, fierce warrior I’ve ever known: my hero and my little brother Dave Stein. He let go with grace and ease, after saying he could still fight if there was something to fight for. But it was his time.
Dave had cancer when he was 9 months old and battled endless illnesses and set backs his entire life, but he never, ever, like EVER let that stop him. He was PMA (positive mental attitude) and straight edge and a vegan and saw the world in pretty stark black and white. He worked harder than anyone I know. Was my personal IT guru. His shopping skills were legendary as was his ability to recall a joke at even the most challenging moments, like heading into surgery. Music was his life blood and he combined that with his singular organizational abilities to be a force as an entertainment lawyer with gold and platinum records hanging in his house. He was silly and goofy and kind and loyal and whip smart and was so grateful for his life even with all the extra hardships he had to contend with. He loved his wife beyond words, his rescue dogs who brought him such great joy, his family which sometimes drove him crazy, and his friends whom he considered family.
I’ve felt an extra bond with him the past 12 plus years since he’s had a piece of me inside of him. Sid, his kidney named after one of our favorite cousins, was still going strong until the very end. This photo was from June, our 12th rebirthday, as he called it, which we celebrated in the hospital with his favorite Vegan Treats cakes.
There are so many things I could share: he was morally offended at anyone who would wear competing logos like Pumas and Adidas at the same time. He owned more Champion sweatshirts than most stores have in inventory. He stopped cutting his hair and started growing a beard when his original kidney started to fail, saying his hair was the only thing that was working and he’d cut it all off when he got a new one. Bane of my mother’s existence that even with a new kidney he never chopped it which is why I always secretly thought he kept it all. I would love to know something you shared with Dave if you’d like to share it here. He was so loved and made such a positive impact in so many lives.
Love you bro (insert our not so secret handshake here).
What was the cause of his death?
Dave Stein’s battle with pneumonia, coupled with an untreatable condition causing immense pain, led to his unexpected passing. In his final days, he chose to discontinue his medications and treatment for pneumonia, according to his sister, Erica Stein. Dave’s journey, marked by remarkable resilience, came to a peaceful end at 3 a.m. on this fateful day.
Dave Stein Obituary
The legacy of Dave Stein extends far beyond his legal career. He will be remembered for his pivotal role in shaping the hardcore scene, his unwavering spirit in the face of adversity, and his legendary sense of humor. His passing is a profound loss to the punk and hardcore communities, where he will always be remembered as “the guy in a suit” from the In Effect ’91 New York Hardcore documentary.
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Tim McMahon
Tough loss today, Dave Stein was definitely one of the good guys. Just a real genuine, sincere, honest, friendly, smart, hard working, dedicated person that I always looked forward to running into and catching up with.
As a lawyer, Dave was instrumental in helping us work through the contracts when Mouthpiece signed on with Revelation and he never asked for a dime. Just a friend who willingly offered his services and walked us through a world that we weren’t very familiar with. Not that the contracts were all that complex, but Dave just extended himself to help any way he could and we appreciated it greatly.
Aside from all of that, I was always a fan of and respected what Dave had done with Combined Effort Records and all he had done for the Albany Hardcore scene in the mid to late 80’s. He left an impact that will undoubtedly last forever.
Check out an interview that we did with Dave on Double Cross back in 2008. Just Google “Dave Stein – Hardcore Lawyer Double Cross” and you’ll find it in the archives. Well worth a read.
Thanks Dave, we’re gunna miss ya.
Dave Stein’s impact on the punk and hardcore scene is immeasurable. His dedication, resilience, and contributions will forever be etched in the hearts of fans, fellow musicians, and those who had the privilege of knowing him. As the hardcore community mourns his loss, we remember Dave’s remarkable journey and celebrate the profound mark he left on the world of punk and hardcore. Rest in peace, Dave Stein, your legacy lives on.
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