Kevin Diers was the voice of Seattle. Whether he was turning listeners on to new, exhilarating bands as host of 99.9 KISW’s Loud & Local and Metal Shop shows or excitedly announcing DEFY wrestling matches to crowds of hundreds, he spent much of his life behind a microphone. But for someone who talked so much, it was rarely about himself. He found joy in promoting local bands, creating opportunities for new musicians, and championing the artists he loved. The community loved him for that.
He passed away on Wednesday at the age of 39. Hundreds of people—colleagues, friends, fans, and artists—have been sharing an outpouring of love since hearing the news.
Kevin was also my friend. We bonded over our taste in music, as well as the struggles of freelance journalism. He always threw my name into the ring for photo work and genuinely celebrated my wins. In September 2023, he invited me to the KISW studio to document his interview with Mike Herrera from MxPx, a band he unabashedly loved since he was a teen. Kevin was so nervous prior to the interview that he was shaking in the elevator. To witness Diers grow visibly giddy before meeting his idol was heartwarming. Despite being a master of his craft, there was no front with Kevin—on air or off. He was a professional, but he was also a fan, and his enthusiasm was infectious and rare in this business.
Along with his radio work, Kevin was also a contributing music journalist for The Stranger. He was who we relied on when looking to cover Seattle’s experimental punk, hardcore and metal bands, new and old—he approached each assignment with refreshing optimism and sincere respect for their art, shunning the stereotypical rock writer bullshit. Botch, Fastbacks, Tacos!, Melvins, and Beautiful Freaks. The louder the better. He turned managing editor Megan Seling on to bands like Hulder, Witch Ripper, and Flesh Produce. (Kevin loved a good pun.) I remember how especially proud he was of the TeZATalks interview he did, and how refreshing it was to see the usually humble Diers celebrate his own work for once…