Boysetsfire Founding Drummer Matt Krupanski Dies

The band mourns the loss of their longtime drummer and founding member.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 5:22pm

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An abstract, minimalist illustration featuring bold, jagged black silhouettes against a high-contrast red and white background, capturing the raw energy and emotion of the post-hardcore music scene.The passing of a pioneering post-hardcore drummer leaves a void in the music community, but his legacy lives on through the band he helped define.Chicago Today

The music community is saddened by the passing of Matt Krupanski, the founding drummer of the post-hardcore band Boysetsfire. The band shared a heartfelt tribute on social media, recounting fond memories of Krupanski from their early days and expressing their grief over the loss of their longtime friend and bandmate.

Why it matters

Krupanski was an integral part of Boysetsfire's formative years, helping establish their sound and identity as a pioneering post-hardcore act. His death is a significant loss for the band and the broader music scene that he was deeply involved in.

The details

Boysetsfire announced Krupanski's passing over the weekend, sharing memories of him from their early days, including picking him up from high school for their first tour, writing songs in his parents' basement, and their intense Madden gaming sessions. The band expressed their heartbreak and plans to hold a fundraiser for Krupanski's daughter, Georgie.

  • Boysetsfire announced Krupanski's passing over the weekend.

The players

Matt Krupanski

The founding drummer of the post-hardcore band Boysetsfire, who passed away recently.

Boysetsfire

A post-hardcore band that Krupanski was a founding member of, known for their pioneering sound and impact on the genre.

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What they’re saying

“We hate to write this. Today the BSF family lost one of our founding members, our drummer Matt Krupanski. Words are failing us. Snapshots of memories skitter through our mind.”

— Boysetsfire

“We are so fucking sorry George. We are so sorry Carla. We are so sorry Marc and Melissa. And our heart breaks for his daughter Georgie. We are so sorry.”

— Boysetsfire

What’s next

The band plans to hold a fundraiser for Krupanski's daughter, Georgie, to support her future, such as for college or other needs the family decides.

The takeaway

Krupanski's passing is a significant loss for the post-hardcore music community, as he was a founding member of the influential band Boysetsfire and played a crucial role in shaping their sound and identity in their early days. The band's heartfelt tribute highlights the deep impact he had on his bandmates and the music scene.