From Marc Grabowski (Corruption) on Facebook, 9/08/24: These last couple days have been absolutely gut wrenching for me. When I received the call Friday [August 30, 2024] with the tragic news that we lost our brother Nick Studen, I was devastated, shaken to the core and at a complete loss for words. I’ve spent the last couple days on the telephone, connecting with close friends, in some cases, to deliver this terrible news personally, but mostly sharing tears, stories, smiles, and countless memories centered around our friend, colleague, bandmate, and dear brother who touched us all so deeply and profoundly, one Mr. Nick Studen III.
Throughout the many years I’ve had the privilege of playing in a band with Nick, together he and I had a connection beyond friendship, beyond brotherhood, beyond just being bandmates. We spoke a unique special secret language together, a kind of telepathy, being able to clearly communicate musically without words. He knew what I was going to play before I played it and vice versa, and we complemented each other like no other musical relationship I’ve ever had. We made amazing music together for two decades, and make no mistake, his combined talents, abilities, instincts, focus, and even his sense of humor behind the drum kit were the driving force that took our band Corruption to the heights of the Denver music scene.
Being a part of an exceptional and ambitious band can create a truly beautiful comradery unmatched, and not unlike a marriage, it is not easy and takes a lot of work, patience, and compromise, but when done with love and dedication it can bring out the best in one another. From the late 80s through the mid 2000s, Corruption was more than a band to us, it was like a gang, like a family; loyal brothers for life. We had comradery that was epic and unmatched. It was beyond team spirit; It was a mission. We did it OUR way with OUR friends for OURselves; Fuck the world. Our motto was “You’re gonna like it, whether you like it or not.” Nick would say every song we wrote together was like creating “little monsters”, and as time passed we nurtured, improved, and developed each one of these songs like they were our children. We were proud papas for sure. Nick always pushed me to be the best musician I could be, and I had to, if even to just keep up with him! To this day the “little monsters” we conceived and brought into the world together as Corruption are the compositions I am most proud of.
Today, I am still trying to find the right words to say about my dear friend. I have a million stories to tell about Nick, but I just can’t seem to find the strength yet to tell them without losing it. I am full of confusion, questions, and a pile of wishes. I wish this was not real. I wish I could talk to him one more time. I wish, I wish, I wish. I still can’t believe it. And every question leads me to the same answer, an answer as old as time itself… The answer being simply that there is no answer.
Still, as time passes and stories are shared while tears are shed, I feel massive gratitude, and I am beginning to realize now that I do have a lot of room to still be his friend, still be his bandmate, to show my love for the guy, and in doing so be reminded that there is indeed a lot of shared love and care out there. Nick was a man who truly and rightfully earned the respect and adoration of many, while carrying himself with integrity and class; A guy you could depend on and really look up to. You will be deeply missed by many my brother.
The world lost a true warrior in Nick Studen. And while his passing is a stark reminder of the insane fragility of not only our relationships but our very lives, his absence reminds us to remain vigilant in fighting for love, music, respect and friendship, but above all to keep those precious human connections, both old and new, fresh and alive for as long as we humanly can with that same level of integrity, class, and mutual respect. Let’s not waste another minute.
Thank you Nick. For Everything. Your energy and light lives on. RIP brother. ~ Marc G.
Dave Stremel: What a great testament to Nickoli. You two carried the Corruption flag the longest so, obviously, you shared the same vision. There’s a lot of people who will miss him. You were blessed to jam with him more than anyone else. I’ve been replaying memories all weekend and, you know, they all involved lots of laughing and love for playing music. Condolences my friend, I know this is tough for you.