Love as Laughter frontman Sam Jayne has died

By Brooklyn Magazine Staff

The Brooklyn music scene is in mourning today.

News broke late last night that Sam Jayne, vocalist and guitarist for the Brooklyn band Love as Laughter, has died.

Friends and fans had been posting widely on social media since Monday, December 7, that Jayne had gone missing. Today they received confirmation of the worst kind: Jayne, 46, was reportedly found in his car and a preliminary investigation showed no “signs of criminality,” according to Pitchfork.

Love as Laughter bandmate Zeke Howard confirmed the news on Instagram with a message that included the following sentiment: “Our dear Sam is no longer with us but his memory and impact will endure.”

Greenpoint bar The Diamond posted as well: “I’m very sad to say that the search for Sam has ended and he has passed. I can’t believe I won’t see you again, Sam. I can hear your voice and your giggle and it just seems impossible that its not going to happen again.”

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Jayne, who also briefly a member of Modest Mouse in the ’90s, could be spotted more recently as a bartender at Clem’s in Williamsburg.

Jayne formed Love as Laughter in 1994 following the break-up of his previous band, Lync.