Guitarist Josh Martin Dies Following Escalator Mishap
May 29, 2018 |by James Greene, Jr.
Josh Martin, a guitarist best known for his work with grindcore edgelords Anal Cunt, died Monday night after falling from an escalator at the Providence Place Mall in Providence, Rhode Island. Martin, 45, sustained severe head trauma falling from the upper theater level escalator into the mall's food court at approximately 10:45 P.M. First responders treated Martin at the scene before transporting him to Rhode Island Hospital, where his injuries claimed him.
Witnesses say Martin was "clowning around and riding the rail of the escalator." The guitarist lost his balance as he reached a downward slope, his body pitching backward and slamming his head on a food court table. Although investigation into Martin's fall is ongoing, authorities have told local media that the entire incident appears accidental and there is no indication this act was intentional.
"Our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time," mall spokesperson Lindsay Kahn said in a statement that also refers to Martin's fall as a "heartbreaking accident."
Josh Martin, who resided in nearby Pawtucket, was a member of Anal Cunt from 1996 to 2001 and returned to the group from 2006 until lead singer Seth Putnam's death in 2011. His playing is featured on tasteless "classics" such as 1997's I Like It When You Die, 1999's It Just Gets Worse, and 2010's Fuckin' A. Martin also performed with the groups Adolf Satan, Impaled Northern Moonfest, Fukk, and Failure Clinic (some of which were offshoots or side projects featuring other Anal Cunt members).
Martin's accident is not a unique occurrence for the Providence Place Mall. In 2004 a Massachusetts woman died after falling from a mall escalator following a birthday party. In 2009, a man managed to survive a fall from these moving walkways.
Thank you for your artistic contributions, Josh. We will not soon forget your work on such beloved Anal Cunt songs as "No, We Don't Want to do a Split Seven Inch With Your Stupid Fucking Band" and "Crankin' My Band's Demo on a Box at the Beach."
