Butthole Surfers Drummer Teresa Taylor dies of lung disease at 60! The sonic assault defined Texas hardcore punk band Butthole Surfers.
The dynamic percussion duo of Teresa Taylor and drummer King Coffey fueled it. Taylor, also known as Teresa Nervosa, grew up drumming in marching bands with Coffey.
They went on to play with the band from 1983 until 1989 (with a brief hiatus in 1985-86). She blasted away on the band’s fabled 1984 full-length debut. Including Psychic Powerless, Another Man’s Sac, Cream Corn from the Socket of Davis, Rembrandt Pussyhorse, Locust Abortion Technician, and Hairway to Steven albums.
Butthole Surfers Drummer Teresa Taylor Dies at 60
The Surfers were among the first punk bands to incorporate female drummers into their live lineup. During concerts, their pulsating rhythmic dialogue set off an explosive energy that enthralled audiences.
The virtuosity of their stand-up kits, paired with the Surfers’ unsettling visual and aural assault, was unlike anything anyone had seen or heard before.
In addition to her work with the Surfers, Taylor was an actress who made a memorable appearance in Richard Linklater’s 1990 film Slacker as Pap Smear Pusher, a character that enthusiastically tries to sell a jar of pap smear she claims belongs to Madonna.
The scene was immortalized on the film’s poster and is now widely considered a defining moment in downtown Austin culture.
Her Cause of Death Was Reported to be Lung Disease
Despite a harrowing health crisis that included light-induced seizures, brain surgery, and more, Taylor remained a force to be reckoned with for her life. She was a beloved member of the Austin music community and a stalwart presence in the Surfers’ legacy.
In addition to her work in the music world, Taylor helped shape Downtown Austin’s culture during the 1980s and 1990s with her own tattoo shop and art gallery. She was also involved in many local charities and was a dedicated animal rights advocate.
Known for her warmth and humor, she will be missed by all who know her. She is survived by her parents, brother, and niece. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
