Capitol Hill artists and music fans are mourning following the deaths this weekend of Neumos doorman Jon “Gash” Sanders and musician and Stranger art director Aaron Huffman.

In a eulogy posted to the Slog by Huffman’s former bandmate and Stranger editor Sean Nelson, Huffman is remembered as an artist with a “elegant, exacting visual style” and the creator of the “signature element” of Harvey Danger’s sound. Nelson writes that Huffman loved Capitol Hill and was troubled by its changes:

He was appalled by the invasion of Capitol Hill by rich normals, partly because it meant longer lines at Vivace, but far more because his transition into adulthood, into himself, had so much to do with the nourishment he received from this neighborhood’s full-body embrace of freaks and weirdos. This was where he learned to be proud of—rather than slightly abashed of or merely resigned to—being one. The two things he hated most in this world were bullies and idiots.

Nelson says Huffman, 43, died Sunday of respiratory failure following a long illness and is survived by his wife, son, and mother.

Neumos, meanwhile, posted about the passing of Sanders Sunday night:

We lost one of our very own family members today. Gash was one of the best security staff our establishment has ever had. He always had a superhuman smile, and he always helped the rest of us to relax and keep level headed through out the nightlife craziness. He made our entire staff feel safe day in and day out. He’ll forever be irreplaceable in our hearts. We love you Gash.

In addition to working security at the club, Sanders was also a hip hop artist and performed with the Oldominion collective, the “Northwest’s largest hip-hop crew.” Gash, known by many as “The Pope,” would have turned 35 in April.

UPDATE: Neumos will host a show to benefit Sanders’ family Sunday, April 17th:

Neumos & Oldominion Present:
The Pope of Capitol Hill: A Celebration of Jon “Gash” Sanders’ Life

ft. Grayskul + Avatar Darko + Bishop I + Sleep + Pale Soul + Smoke M2D6 + Destro + Nyqwil + Snafu + What Have May + Barfly + Syndel + Candidt + Anaxagorus + IAME + Eso + Keyz + El Topo + Mr. Hill + Graves 33 and more…

On Sunday, March 6, we lost one of our very own family members. Gash was one of the best security staff Neumos has ever had. He always had a superhuman smile, and he consistently helped the rest of us to relax and keep level headed throughout the nightlife craziness. He made our entire staff feel safe day in and day out, and he’ll forever be irreplaceable in our hearts. We love you, Gash.

Donations will be accepted at the door in addition to ticket price. All proceeds will be given to Gash’s family in this time of loss and mourning.

7pm doors || $12 advance || 21+