Guitarist Matthew Odietus of the legendary punk band THE CANDY SNATCHERS died on June 28 in his hometown of Virginia Beach, Virginia. An official cause of death has not yet been released.

Taking their name from an obscure, bizarre, and trashy 70's horror flick late one night after drinking heavily, THE CANDY SNATCHERS formed in 1992. According to a November 2006 write-up on ToeStubber.com, "the band's tried-and-true array of destructive gimmicks kept the bookers guessing. Depending on mood, singer Larry May or axer Matt Odietus would sometimes cut their own scalp, '70s pro-wrestler style — up by the hairline or wherever the blood would flow most effusively. Once, at CBGB, Matt bled out so much he almost fainted, and eventually had to be carted off to the ER with a t-shirt turban wrapped around his noggin. Larry would smash glass bottles at random. Willy used lighter fluid to set his bass on fire, with the aid of excited audience members who’d often get outta hand with the flammables and torch Willy himself. Drums were routinely collided with and obliterated."

In November 2006, Matt spent 17 days in jail. When asked how long he had been out a short time after he was released, he said, "four scores and seven eight balls ago they let me out," and "went on to tell of the good times he had, friends he had made, the free food, and needed rest he got," according to the band's MySpace page.

Photo of Matthew Odietus courtesy of the official THE CANDY SNATCHERS web site (picture by Lasha Laskowsky).