I feel like the obituary writer here at TIG.

Last week brought the death of Heath Ledger, and today I've learned that local grunge-era rocker Ben McMillan has passed on. McMillan sang for both Skin Yard and Gruntruck, staples of the early-90s Seattle rock scene. Neither band made as big of an impact on the national scene as their local contemporaries, though both hold a large place in this city's music history. Gruntruck's largest break likely came when they opened for Alice in Chains on their "Dirt" tour, rocking the Mercer Arena at what I fondly recall as an excellent show. Now, both singers of those bands are gone. McMillan was 47.

 Hat tip to EarCandy for the news!