News - Funeral Oration Tragically Lose Two Members

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Submitted by Hopeless Records: "Amidst the numerous rumors circulating online about Netherlands' Funeral Oration, we've officially confirmed the passing of members Erik Jansen and Peter Zirschky. Former guitarist Hayo Buunk provides further insight on the tragic losses.

"On April 17th, 2008 Erik Jansen former drummer for Funeral Oration passed away after a tragic accident. Trying to reach his friends we found out that Peter Zirschky, Funeral Oration's singer/songwriter had passed away by accident 4 or 5 years previous.

The remaining members of Funeral Oration, William, Hayo, Barend, Tos, Ferry, Vinnie and Menno will never play with a unique band like this again and we will miss our mates.
We want to thank everybody who has ever been involved with Funeral Oration."
- Hayo Buunk, former Funeral Oration guitarist

"We at Hopeless/Sub City send our sincere condolences to Peter and Erik’s families, friends and band mates. Peter and Erik were special people who were part of a special band. An unlikely first official signing for a Los Angeles punk label, Funeral Oration played a unique and significant part of our company history. The band went on to release three studio albums and a discography on Hopeless as well as their only 3 US tours. We will always remember all the great memories and music. Peter and Erik will be deeply missed."
- Louis Posen, Hopeless Records founder & president

Melodic punk band Funeral Oration formed in 1983 after singer Peter Zirschky placed an ad in a local Dutch punk magazine searching for a bass player. After several self-released 7" and 12"'s in the Netherlands, Hopeless Records founder, Louis Posen, approached the band. Funeral Oration became the first official signing for then emerging Hopeless Records. The band released their first self-titled album on the label in 1995, with two more studio albums to follow, Believer and Survival. Funeral Oration then rounded out their career with Discography, a double disc release that included rare, unreleased, live, and studio tracks."