White Flag, (Left to right Trace Element, Jello B. Afro, Pat Fear and Mike Mess) started in Moreno Valley. Pat Fear has died. (White Flag ReverbNation page/Contributed Image)
UPDATE: I am working on a story about Bill Bartell/Pat Fear. We did get some information from the Riverside County Coroner’s office this morning. If you would like to share memories and/or photos, please contact me at vfranko@pe.com.
Bill Bartell, better known as singer and guitarist Pat Fear of punk band White Flag, has died.
In the early 1980s White Flag sprang out of the then-unincorporated area of Sunnymead (now part of Moreno Valley), and took on the LA punk scene, releasing debut LP “S is for Space” in 1982. Bartell was one of the founding members of the group, which released more than 20 albums and has toured the world.
Talk to a number of people in the Inland music scene and White Flag still remains one of the top influences.
I’m still gathering details about Bartell’s death and will update when I confirm more. I’ve been told by a few folks that he was in declining health. Please share your memories of Pat Fear in the comments section. Also, here’s a great piece that Vice did on White Flag a little while ago.