Importance Score: 35 / 100 🔵
Jeffrey Runnings, Founder of Indie Band For Against, Dies at 61
Jeffrey Runnings, the founding member, bassist, and vocalist of the influential indie band For Against, has passed away at the age of 61. He succumbed to stage 4 cancer on March 3rd, though the news of his death has only recently emerged. Independent Project Records, the band’s long-standing record label, confirmed his passing in a statement. Bruce Licher, the label’s founder and co-owner, remarked, “Jeffrey Runnings was not just a dear friend and an exceptional musician and songwriter, but someone whose life was deeply intertwined with music.”
“Jeff was always eager to share music he believed his friends would appreciate. For years, he would send me handwritten letters, frequently accompanied by records he thought I should possess or mixtapes he had created for me to hear. Even recently, as he shared his new album with me for the first time, it arrived as a cassette tape mailed through the post. I couldn’t have asked for a more special gesture. His distinctive voice will be profoundly missed on many levels.”
Tributes Pour In for Jeffrey Runnings
Following the news of his death, tributes from fans and fellow musicians have emerged. One fan shared on social media platform X: “Sad to learn of Jeffrey Runnings‘ passing last month. I discovered For Against years ago through random YouTube exploration and became captivated by their music. I highly recommend checking out the album ‘Echelons’.”
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Another admirer commented: “Thank you, Jeffrey, for the beautiful music that you and your bandmates gifted to the world for us to immerse ourselves in. Know that you are loved, and your music resonates deeply with many.”
A further tribute stated: “Sorry to hear that Jeffrey Runnings, bassist/vocalist for the Nebraskan post-punk band For Against, has died at 61. The band masterfully blended the bass-driven post-punk sounds reminiscent of Joy Division with dream pop sensibilities. Listen to ‘Echelons’ by For Against from 1987. #RIPJeffreyRunnings.”
Another message read: “It is with profound sadness that we mourn the loss of Jeffrey Runnings, bassist and vocalist of Nebraska-based post-punk/dream pop band For Against.”
For Against: A Legacy of Dream Pop
Formed in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1984, For Against gained recognition for their signature sound often categorized as “dream pop.” Throughout their career, they released several acclaimed albums, including 1987’s Echelons, 1988’s December, 1993’s Aperture, and 1995’s Mason’s California Lunch Room.
Posthumous Release of Solo Album
Beyond his work with For Against, Jeffrey Runnings also pursued solo endeavors. He released a solo album titled Primitives & Smalls in 2016. His final solo project, Piqued, recorded the previous year, is set to be released posthumously. The record label confirmed, “We are diligently working towards releasing Jeff’s stunning new solo album sometime in 2025.” The first single from the record, “Batman Forever,” is currently available for streaming.
Jeffrey Runnings: Survived by Family
Jeffrey Runnings is survived by his husband, Sean Aplegate, his brother Steve, nephews Rudy and Phil, niece Christina, and uncle Gerald. He was predeceased by his sister, Karen.
Memorial Donations in Lieu of Flowers
Following his death, his husband, Sean Aplegate, established a GoFundMe page aligning with Jeffrey‘s wishes. “It was Jeff’s wish that those unable to attend his memorial consider making donations in place of sending flowers. He will be deeply missed by so many,” he shared in a Facebook post.