Derrick Plourde

Who was Derrick Plourde?

Derrick William Plourde was a drummer who was born in Goleta, California. Active between 1989 and his death in 2005, he was a former member of Lagwagon, Bad Astronaut, Jaws, The Ataris, Mad Caddies, Rich Kids on LSD, and others. Rush's Neil Peart and RKL's Bomer Manzullo are credited as influences to his playing style. Plourde was able to play very fast and accurately. He was also able to start and stop quickly which gave his playing a progressive feel.

Suspected as bipolar and battling drug addiction, Derrick committed suicide by gunshot on March 30, 2005.

His former band, Lagwagon, produced a tribute album titled Resolve in his honor. The first verse in the lyrics for the NOFX song "Doornails", on their Wolves in Wolves' Clothing album is about Plourde. The song is a tribute to punk rock musicians who have died.

He also drummed for Mad Caddies on their album Rock The Plank. The Mad Caddies song Don't Go is possibly a tribute to him.