Gene Andrusco (April 6, 1961 – March 20, 2000), better known as Gene Eugene, was a Canadian-born actor, record producer, engineer, composer, and musician.[2] Eugene was best known as the leader of the alternative rock band Adam Again,[3] a member of the Swirling Eddies (credited as Prickly Disco), and as a founding member of the supergroupLost Dogs.[4]
Prior to his music career, Eugene was a child actor. On top of his own musical projects, Eugene was a record producer producing albums for other contemporary Christian artists ranging from Crystal Lewis to the Prayer Chain to Starflyer 59. Eugene was married to musician and fellow Adam Again band member Riki Michele until they divorced in 1994. Eugene was found dead in his studio on March 20, 2000 as a result of an undiagnosed brain aneurysm. Friends said that Eugene hadn't been feeling well in recent weeks and complained of headaches the day before his death. [5]
In 1987, Eugene, Ojo Taylor and another investor formed Brainstorm Artists International (B.A.I.), which became an important label in the development of the West Coast Christian alternative music scene. Though the record label focused primarily on modern rock artists, B.A.I also released significant contributions from early rap and hip-hop artists such as Dynamic Twins and Freedom of Soul. It was also at this time that Eugene discovered future Myrrh Records artist Anointed and went on to produce their first few albums.[5]
Additionally in 2001, Hip-Hop artist Peace 586 dedicated his album 586 to Gene Eugene, with the song "You Here", featuring Sup the Chemist, as a tribute. Peace 586 considered Mr. Eugene a great friend and mentor.
In 2002, the rock band Jars of Clay recorded one of Eugene's songs, entitled "Dig", for their Furthermore – From The Studio: From The Stage album (included on their 2007 Sony 2CD-release The Essential Jars of Clay as well),
Also, in 2002, singer-songwriter and session-musician Richard Swift (Starflyer 59) recorded Eugene's song "Jimmy" for his 7" entitled Buildings in America. "Jimmy" was originally featured at Lost Dogs second album Little Red Riding Hood.
"Jimmy" was also recorded by Jesse Sprinkle (Poor Old Lu) on his 2006 solo release The Corner of an Unlit World (Blind Record).
In 2004, for the 20th anniversary of the Cornerstone Festival, a DVD was released entitled 20 Years and Counting, which includes a tribute to several artists that regularly performed at Cornerstone and had recently died, including Eugene, Mark Heard, Vince Ebo and Rich Mullins.
In 2005, Daniel Amos released their DVD documentary, The Making of Mr. Buechner's Dream. The video, shot mostly in Eugene's Green Room studio during the recording of the band's Mr. Buechner's Dream CD, includes a tribute to the late friend and engineer. Archive footage of Eugene in the studio is also shown.
In 2007, Daniel Amos released a second documentary DVD chronicling the band's history entitled Instruction Through Film. At one point in the film, during the band's time with Brainstorm Artists International, a short clip of Eugene mixing a Riki Michele song in at the Green Room is seen.
12345Powell, Mark Allan (2002). Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music (Firsted.). Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers Inc. pp.22–23. ISBN1-56563-679-1.
