Lou Koller, the longtime frontman of punk rock band Sick of It All has died following a two-year battle with esophageal cancer. He was 59.
His bandmates, including brother Peter Koller, Amrmand Majiji and Craig Setari, confirmed the news in a joint statement shared on Instagram.
Lou Koller has died after a two-year battle with esophageal cancer. He was 59. Instagram/@sickofitallnyc
“It’s with unbelievable sadness that we announce to our worldwide hardcore family the passing of our brother Lou Koller,” they began.
“The level of loss that we feel at this time is overwhelming.”
They shared that this year marks Sick of it All’s 40th anniversary as a band and honoured Koller’s “camaraderie, commitment and enthusiasm” throughout the decades.
“We have lost a beloved friend and an iconic frontman.
“Lou had the power to raise everyone’s spirits at our shows with a smile and a sarcastic comment, and he won people over wherever we played, from every culture and every corner of the world.”
Despite their “intense grief” the band thanked all those who supported and donated to Koller’s medical fund as he battled cancer.
They concluded the tribute with this parting message: “His battle is over now and he can finally rest. Hopefully he can somehow still see and feel the beautiful, positive mark he left on the world.”
Koller revealed in June 2024 that he was suffering from cancer of the esophagus which extended into his stomach. His illness forced the band to cancel a European tour while he underwent treatment.
Koller’s bandmates Peter Koller, Amrmand Majiji and Craig Setari announced his passing in a joint statement. Instagram/@sickofitallnyc
Koller had announced in May 2025 that he was cancer-free after a final round of chemotherapy, sadly the disease returned months later.
Koller and his brother formed Sick of It All alongside drummer Majidi in Queens, New York, in 1986.
Three years later, the group released its 1989 debut Blood, Sweat and No Tears before bassist Setari the band’s bassist joined in 1993.
Koller was remembered as someone who raised spirits with a smile and a sarcastic comment. Scott Gries/ImageDirect
Sick of It All’s discography spans over 30 years and includes legendary punk and hardcore anthems like Step Down, Scratch the Surface, Us vs. Them and Clobberin’ Time.