Dave Stein, RIP
Dave Stein (1965 - 2023), RIP
Dave Stein sadly passed away early this morning.
Known by many as “the hardcore attorney,” Dave was a fixture of East Coast hardcore and punk. As a DIY promoter, record label founder, and musician, he helped build the Albany, New York scene together with his friend, Steve Reddy.
He ran Combined Effort and Reconstruction, releasing records by bands like Beyond, Supertouch, and Absolution. He was tight with Youth Of Today.
As an attorney, he represented Taking Back Sunday, Portugal. The Man, and many others over the years — in fact, he’s credited on more than 60 releases on Discogs, including records by Agnostic Front, Madball, and The Starting Line.
He’s fondly remembered by many as “the guy in a suit” in the In Effect ‘91 New York Hardcore documentary, which is now available on YouTube.
In more recent years, Dave worked as Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs at WEA (2012 - 2015) and then as CEO (US) and General Counsel for the Century Label Group (2015 - 2017).
“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,” one of his sisters, Elissa Stein, wrote on Facebook a few hours ago.
“Dave had cancer when he was nine months old and battled endless illnesses and setbacks his entire life, but he never, ever, like EVER let that stop him. He was PMA (positive mental attitude), straight edge, and a vegan, and saw the world in pretty stark black and white. He worked harder than anyone I know.”
Elissa donated one of her kidneys to Dave around 12 years ago.
My friend Sean Muttaqi, who was very close with Dave, texted me this morning:
“You couldn’t walk a mile in New York City without him stopping at a bodega to get food for all of the homeless people he knew.”
Eddie Reyes, formerly of Taking Back Sunday, wrote on Stein’s Facebook wall:
“Dave, you were one of the first [who] believed in me and the guys in TBS and helped through it all. Man, I will miss you so much. You are a legend and inspiration and my friend.”
Robert Kampf, who co-founded Century Media with the late Oliver Withöft, shared similar sentiments, calling Stein “an inspiration, a moral guideline, a true and loyal friend. Thank you so much for everything you have done for Century Media, Oliver, and me. You will be truly missed.”
Dave’s favorite hardcore bands of all time included Bad Brains, 7 Seconds, Minor Threat, Underdog, and Agnostic Front.
Much love to his wife, Teresa, and everyone who knew and loved Dave.
Check out this pretty in-depth interview with Dave from the hardcore blog Double Cross conducted in 2008.
Rest in power, Dave Stein.