This couldn't have been a very happy Christmas for fans of Ministry and Rigor Mortis.
Guitarist Mike Scaccia, who played in both bands, died of a heart attack early Dec. 23 after collapsing the night before during a Rigor Mortis gig at the Rail Club in Fort Worth.
He was 47.
"I just lost my lil' brother and my best friend," Ministry founder and frontman Al Jourgensen posted Dec. 23 on the band's website.
Scaccia played an integral part in the El Paso-based industrial metal pioneers' decision to regroup after its announced breakup in 2008.
The band released a new album, "Relapse," in March, and toured the U.S. and Europe over the summer. Jourgensen, who runs his 13th Planet label from here, collapsed last July 27 in Europe due to dehydration and exhaustion.
Scaccia told the Chicago Sun-Times last summer that he was one of the main reasons the Chicago band got back together. "We were writing together better than we ever have. We were getting along great," he said. "Then one day (Jourgensen) came over and said, 'Man, I've been thinking about it. You're right. We should do another Ministry record.'"
Plans are in the works for a Scaccia tribute show, according to posts on the band's Facebook page, with an online fundraiser to help Scaccia's wife and two daughters.
On to happier news:
• Corrido singer and former child star Gerardo Ortiz performs at 8:30 p.m. April 13 at the Coliseum.
The Mexican regional star is promoting his newest album, "El Primer Ministro."
Tickets are $35, $40 and $45, with GA and reserved table seating. They're on sale at the box office, Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com and 800.745.3000.
• SMG Events and Donnie Disco Presents, the folks bringing Deadmau5 to the convention center for the Dec. 29 Audible EDM show, have their work cut out for them after that.
They're bringing DJ Thomas Gold to the Plum City Village at 9 p.m. Jan. 4.
Tickets are $25, on sale at the Happy House, Headstand, eventbrite.com and wanttickets.com.
The companies also have lined up LA Riots at 9 p.m. Jan. 18 at the Plum ($11 advance, same locations); a retro Neon Party, with Deorro and D!rty Audio, at 9 p.m. Jan. 19 at Buchanan's Event Center (no ticket info) and British DJ James Zabiela at 9 p.m. March 1 at Nova Luna (no ticket info).
• Three more red dirt country acts have been added to the Whiskey Dicks calendar.
The Josh Abbott Band returns at 10 p.m. Feb. 2 ($20), followed by Cody Johnson on Feb. 5 ($8) and the always popular Aaron Watson on March 1 ($10).
Tickets are on sale at Ticketbully.
• Former Boyz N Da Hood rapper Gorilla Zoe has booked a Tricky Falls show at 7 p.m. Feb. 15.
Tickets are $10 (first 100 sold) and $12 (second 200), on sale at eventbrite.com.
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