Back in the late 2000s, I met a family from Ohio whose two daughters were in a hilarious, cool punk band called ShiSho. They always hosted my friends and me at their house when we came through on tour, came to every show, and even after they moved to Oregon for a few years, would come see us play there. Kris, Tanegla and their family are some of the kindest people I've ever met. His daughter, Midge Ramone, played accordion and sang in ShiSho. One year when @WeAreKooKoo and I played a Portland show that wasn't all ages, the only way to get Midge in with her family was to have her stand on stage as my "DJ" and run the set. She killed it, everyone was like "who is Lars's new DJ?" Midge's family and I stayed close over the years even as the touring slowed down, talking faith and music. They once drove all the way to Columbus from Akron when I'd left my toiletries and medicine at their house on tour, because that's the kind of people they are. Midge went to the Gathering to interview bands and helped her dad with his radio show on WFMU, with her amazing taste in music, and the best sense of humor of anyone in that family (sorry Kris!), and that's saying something. They'd always come see us at Warped Tour, take us out for ice cream after, then hang out on the bus, her brother freestyling about his new "frosty tips" while Midge just laughed and laughed. She fit right into any situation, backstage or wherever, like she'd always been an artist. Kris told me Midge was killed in a head-on collision a few days ago and passed away at the hospital at 26. As a father of a young daughter myself, I can't begin to understand that loss. In honor of this beautiful life, I am sharing this video ShiSho sent me in the late 2000s, one of their first. Midge is the younger one, fond of punching, a metonymy for America's pugnacity. May her music and spirit live on. We love you, Midge. I am lucky I got to meet you. Please hug the people you care about and remind them that you love them today. RIP Kreigh "Midge" Grapel-Barnette A Midwestern punk rock icon and a friend (3/2/00 - 9/27/26)