NYHC legends Sick Of It All have announced the passing of their co-founder and vocalist, Lou Koller, at the age of 59.
In 2024, Koller announced he had been diagnosed with an oesophageal tumour. While he did announce he was “officially cancer free” in May 2025, the cancer had returned by September of that year.
Lou started the band in 1986 with his brother and guitarist, Pete Koller. The stable line-up with Armand Majidi on drums and Craig Setari on bass didn’t occur until after the release of their second album, Just Look Around.
This was the impetus for their ground-breaking major label debut, Scratch The Surface, with the video for Step Down entering rotation on MTV.
The impact of this record on the New York hardcore scene and beyond cannot be underestimated. As Majidi stated to Decibel Magazine in 2012, “[it is the band’s] quintessential album […] that we are always forced to try to top”.
A further 9 critically lauded albums were released over the next 24 years until their final album, Wake The Sleeping Dragon! in 2018.
PRUK was privileged to see Lou in action numerous times over the years. He was always a bundle of energy and it was performing on stage where he truly came alive. Always alive to any issues in the pit, Lou seemed to be genuinely grateful for the opportunity to perform whether it was a headline show or a festival. He will be missed by the worldwide hardcore community.
The statement from Sick Of It All in full
“It’s with unbelievable sadness that we announce to our worldwide hardcore family the passing of our brother Lou Koller. The level of loss that we feel at this time is overwhelming. This year would have marked Sick of it All’s 40th anniversary as a band, and Lou’s camaraderie, commitment and enthusiasm were always steadfast throughout the years. We have lost a beloved friend and an iconic frontman. Lou had the power to raise everyone’s spirits at our shows with a smile and a sarcastic comment, and he won people over wherever we played, from every culture and every corner of the world.
“At this time of intense grief, we must again acknowledge the great help and support offered by everyone who donated to Lou’s medical fund. You all helped Lou feel very special and very loved as he battled away these last two years. His battle is over now and he can finally rest. Hopefully he can somehow still see and feel the beautiful, positive mark he left on the world.”
