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September 16, 2021
JEFFERSON COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 10 | LIFE: PAGE 12 | CALENDAR: PAGE 15 | SPORTS: PAGE 16
Remembering Brethren Fast Music community fondly recall Don Messina, Mik Messina and Gordon Beesley BY RYAN DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
For those who were around the Denver music scene in the 90’s, Brethren Fast needs no introduction. The purveyors of “electrified hillbilly hot-rod funk” charmed audiences and contemporaries alike with their good looks, groovy riffs and racing team outfits for over a decade, during which they rose to prominence as one of — if not the — most visible bands in Colorado. During their peak in the late 90’s — which included sponsorships from Harley Davidson and Budweiser, along with gigs playing Broncos and Avalanche games — the band consisted of brothers Don “Dynamite” Messina on vocals and guitar, Mik “The Stick” Messina on bass and Gordon Beesley on drums. Tragically, all three of the Brethren Fast members met untimely deaths. Don died in a 2015 car accident on Lookout Mountain, Mik died of organ failure in July and Beesley — who became an Arvada Police officer in 2002 — was killed in the Olde Town Arvada shooting in June. Though their time was unduly cut short, their far-reaching influence on the local music culture continues to be felt today. Their albums Sideburns from Hell, What in the Hell?, 500 Laps of Beer Drinkin’ Fun and Diesel Drivin Buddies earned them placements on MTV, Fox Sports and the Discovery Channel, and their raucous live shows saw them playing nearly 200 gigs a year at during their peak. The band started in 1995 after the dissolution of Don’s project Elik Pink. By that time, Mik and Don had spent a few years playing in different projects and decided they wanted to join forces. “The brothers played in a bunch of different bands separately and then in the mid-90’s locked in on playing together and kind of rotated through drummers,” said G. Brown, who was one of the Denver Post’s music
VOLUME 17 | ISSUE 13
Shots fired near NAAC during Friday night football game No injuries or property damage reported STAFF REPORT
Brethren Fast’s first photoshoot with Beesley.
Brethren Fast at a band photoshoot. From left, Gordon Beesley, Don Messina, and Mik Messina.
reporters at the time. “But when they got Gordon in there, that’s when they had their heyday, if you will.” While the trio started out with Ordy Garrison behind the kit, Beesley soon took the sticks and continued playing with the group until other responsibilities demanded more of his attention. He was replaced by Nate “Dawg” Nicholsen for the latter years of the group’s run. Brown says Beesley was inte-
PHOTOS COURTESY OF JEFF GRAY
gral to the group’s sound. “You need a guy to lock it down in the back,” said Brown. “And Gordon was able to do that for them. He was their most notable drummer — that was kind of a rotating position. I think they had a couple of guys play before and after, but Gordon had the longest stint.” Those who knew the Brethren Fast guys recall them as kindhearted, approachable people who loved to have a good time. Wendy Clark played hundreds of shows alongside Brethren Fast with her band Tequila Mockingbird, and says the band always made themselves available and kindly offered tips. “They were really sweet, good guys,” said Clark. “They were definitely rock stars. If you’re a different band, they’re just regular guys. Mik especially — all the girls had a crush on him. Gordon was, I think, the nicest drummer I’ve ever met. They were sweet, approachable guys. “They gave us a lot of different advice,” Clark continued. SEE BRETHREN, P8
Arvada Police responded to reports of gunshots in the area of the North Area Athletic Complex at around 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 10 during a high school football game. No injuries or property damage has been reported as of the afternoon of Sept. 11, and APD is investigating “active leads” but have not made any arrests, according to Public Information Officer Dave Snelling. At around 8:30 p.m., officers who were already working security at the game between Pomona High School and Doherty High School responded to the sound of four gun shots coming from the west side of the stadium, which is located at 64th Avenue and Highway 93. Officers found at least three shell casings at the scene. “There’s active leads and we’ll pursue those,” said Snelling. “Hopefully there’s an identification and an arrest made soon.” Witnesses gave conflicting reports. Shawn Wingate said he was at the game, and stated that “It was definitely gunshots,” while adding that he heard three rapid shots followed by two more. Jake Esau said he was working as a referee at the nearby soccer field and heard “loud pops,” but figured it was a celebration coming from the football field. The game between Pomona High School and Doherty High School was not disturbed by the incident, and the Panthers defeated the Spartans 44-14 in their homecoming game.