Founding Cake Guitarist Greg Brown Dies

Brown co-founded the alternative rock band and wrote their hit song "The Distance"

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Greg Brown, the founding guitarist of the alternative rock band Cake, passed away on Saturday, February 7th, after a brief illness. The band announced his death via social media, acknowledging his significant contributions to their early sound and development.

Why it matters

As a co-founder of Cake, Greg Brown played a crucial role in shaping the band's distinctive sound and helping them achieve mainstream success with songs like "The Distance." His passing marks the loss of an influential figure in the alternative rock genre.

The details

Brown co-founded Cake in 1991 in Sacramento, California, alongside singer John McCrea, trumpeter Vince DiFiore, drummer Frank French, and bassist Shon Meckfessel. He was credited with writing "The Distance," Cake's most recognizable hit song, which appeared on their breakthrough album "Fashion Nugget" (1996). McCrea noted that Brown had a knack for rhythmically "squaring things up" with his guitar playing, contributing significantly to the band's unique style.

  • Greg Brown passed away on Saturday, February 7th.
  • Brown co-founded Cake in 1991.
  • "The Distance" appeared on Cake's 1996 album "Fashion Nugget".
  • Brown briefly rejoined Cake in 2011 to contribute to their album "Showroom of Compassion".
  • Brown released a solo EP in 2023.

The players

Greg Brown

The founding guitarist of the alternative rock band Cake, who played a crucial role in shaping the band's distinctive sound and wrote their hit song "The Distance".

John McCrea

The singer of Cake, who noted that Brown had a knack for rhythmically "squaring things up" with his guitar playing, contributing significantly to the band's unique style.

Cake

An alternative rock band co-founded by Greg Brown in 1991 in Sacramento, California, known for their blend of alternative rock, funk, and mariachi influences.

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What they’re saying

“Greg had a knack for rhythmically 'squaring things up' with his guitar playing, contributing significantly to the band's unique style.”

— John McCrea, Singer, Cake (Billboard)

The takeaway

Greg Brown's passing marks the loss of a foundational architect of alternative rock music, whose contributions to Cake's sound and songwriting helped define the band's legacy and influence on the genre.