Sacramento Mourns Guitarist Who Went the Distance

A remembrance of Greg Brown, former Cake and Deathray centerpiece

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Greg Brown, a renowned guitarist who was a key member of the Sacramento bands Cake and Deathray, has passed away after a brief illness. Brown was known for his unique and captivating guitar work that helped define the sound of both bands, particularly on Cake's hit song "Going the Distance." Friends and former bandmates remember Brown as a talented musician with a gracious spirit who left an indelible mark on the Sacramento music scene.

Why it matters

Brown's guitar work and songwriting were integral to the success of two of Sacramento's most prominent bands, Cake and Deathray. His death is a significant loss for the local music community, as he was widely respected and admired by his peers for his musical talents and humble demeanor.

The details

Brown joined Cake in the mid-1990s, bringing his distinctive guitar style to the band's proto-garage sound. His playing on songs like "Ruby Sees All" and the hit "Jolene" helped define Cake's unique musical identity. After leaving Cake, Brown co-founded the band Deathray in 1998, continuing to showcase his talents as a guitarist and songwriter. Deathray found success of its own, releasing several albums and touring nationally.

  • Brown joined Cake in the mid-1990s.
  • Cake's song "Going the Distance" was released in 1996 on their album "Fashion Nugget".
  • Brown co-founded Deathray in 1998.
  • Deathray released their self-titled debut album in 2000.
  • Brown's final public performance was in 2024 at The Side Door in Sacramento.

The players

Greg Brown

A renowned guitarist who was a key member of the Sacramento bands Cake and Deathray, known for his unique and captivating guitar work.

John McCrea

The singer of Cake, the band that Brown was a member of in the mid-1990s.

Joe Johnston

The sound engineer who recorded several of Cake's early songs, including "Jolene" and "Ruby Sees All".

Victor Damiani

The former bassist of Cake who co-founded the band Deathray with Brown in 1998.

Dana Gumbiner

The lyricist and singer who joined Deathray alongside Brown.

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What they’re saying

“It's hard to put a finger on what made him so unique as a guitarist, but he definitely was. He was jazzy and played country with a rock attitude. Cake, as a whole, had an approach unlike any band I worked with before or since. And if you heard a Greg Brown guitar part, it was one of those things where you pretty much knew it was him playing.”

— Joe Johnston, sound engineer (Sacramento News & Review)

“His creative contributions were immense, and his presence – both musical and personal – will be deeply missed. Godspeed, Greg.”

— Cake (Cake's social media)

“He quietly and comprehensively changed my life and the lives of so many in his orbit … Anyone else in the world could patch in an old Guild through a ProCo Rat into a Silvertone twin twelve, but no one had his voice. I'm so proud and privileged to be witness to that voice.”

— Dana Gumbiner, lyricist and singer, Deathray (personal statement)

“He had a massive amount of conviction. He could get me behind him without saying a word. I paid attention and was inspired by him endlessly.”

— Michael Urbano, drummer, Deathray (Instagram)

What’s next

The Sacramento music community is expected to hold a memorial service or tribute concert to celebrate Greg Brown's life and legacy in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

Greg Brown's passing is a significant loss for the Sacramento music scene, as he was a highly respected and influential guitarist whose unique sound and songwriting helped define the identity of two of the city's most prominent bands, Cake and Deathray. Brown's humble demeanor and dedication to his craft left a lasting impression on his fellow musicians, who remember him as a true artist and a gracious friend.