JUNE 19, 6:02 P.M. – Ra Ra Riot, a band made up of Syracuse University alumni and Syracuse residents, confirmed it will continue as a band despite the death of drummer John Pike on Sunday, June 3.

Pike, a 2006 SU graduate, was found dead in seven feet of water in Southern Massachusetts’ Buzzards Bay. He had last been seen leaving a house party in Fairhaven, Mass. the Friday night before after playing a show earlier in the evening.

On the band’s MySpace page, they posted a blog entry, which read:

‘We have felt lost since the death of our friend and band mate, John. There will always be unanswered questions, so we can only surrender to life, and move forward without fully understanding. In our distress we feel lucky for having been so close to him, and we’re thankful for the guidance that memories of him will give us. All of us in the band are enthusiastic and determined to live out the plans we laid together with John. As we continue, the pain of missing a dear friend will remind us how much we loved him. Coinciding with the wishes of John’s family, we have decided to continue onward. We are thankful for the continuous support from friends, family and the music community during this difficult time. We find comfort in this solidarity, and hope that it gives us strength.

Ra Ra Riot.’