I was introduced to Gina in 1988 by my buddy Richie Nagle.

Richie told me Gina was also doing a zine and how cool it would be to help each other out. The chemistry was instant and a lasting friendship was formed. We both shared a love for all things NYHC and before long were hanging out and going to shows together. She had an easygoing nature, smile and a laugh that would echo forever in any room. Gina brought a sense of humor and ease to a “Ready to Fight” boys club. Proudly proclaiming  “Those are my boys” It sometimes bordered on motherly.  She loved all the bands but a gleam would come to her eyes with any mention of Slayer, Sheer Terror or Sick of it All.

                        As time passed she became one of the family. My family were always greeted with hugs and called “Grams” and “Mom”. When I moved to Hell’s Kitchen in 1994 we were already working together at HOSS Inc./Chiaroscuro Records. It was a business that booked the ‘Floating Jazz Festivals’ and released Jazz records. On the days when Hank and Shelly would be out of the office we’d blast Hardcore act like idiots. She was like a sister to me. She was a sucker for a prank and I pulled quite a few at that office. Something about watching her scream and jump out of her skin was just par for the course. There was one occasion where I had gotten my hands on this very realistic looking rubber rat that when switched on would writhe and struggle inside a real rat trap. I put it in the hall closet next to the Coke machine and called “Gina, come ‘ere. What the fuck is that?” When she saw it she completely flipped out and was about to jump out the offices window. It took her half a day to compose herself and stop beating on me but it was just another priceless moment. There were so many times. So many memorable moments where we laughed so hard it hurt. She fell in love with a Jazz musician named Gene and eventually had a beautiful son they named Kyle. He’s fifteen now. It may sound silly but I still carry his baby picture in my wallet.

                    Gina and I lost touch at some point. The years passed and I often wondered how she was. Then in while recovering from a stroke in the fall of 2008 I got a message from Gina on myspace. We were talking for a while. She was in such good spirits and talked about getting together. She was excited about the upcoming Absolution reunion and delighted over the prospect of reconnecting with old friends. At one point we spoke of an ‘All Zine’ collaboration for Unite featuring Freddy New Breed, Chris In Effect and of course ‘Gina Last Daze’. We were speaking on the phone and planning to meet up for dinner or a show.  When I told her about my recent stroke her maternal instincts returned as she scolded me and told me how I needed to take care of myself. Never once hinting to her own issues. A few weeks later I got an email from Al Alvarez about a possible scam email stating the Gina had died. I scrambled to find any information. I called her at work that day and when someone else picked up and said “Gina isn’t in today. Can I take a message?” I gingerly stated what I had heard and if the co worker could confirm or deny any such rumor. When she confirmed I almost dropped the phone. I was in complete shock. My good friend was gone. With no warning or signs. She always looked out for everyone but never hinted that she herself was sick. She was selfless to the end.

                    It’s been two years. A lot of time to process. Get past the bad feelings and remember all the good things. I’ll always remember her smile, how her laugh drowned out all the sadness in a room. She could always drink me under the table. How after a good night of Hardcore and beer her burps (a smell combing the taste of Heineken, Bacon and random smoked meats) would have you rolling on the floor with laughter and light headedness. She was more than a friend. She was family.

                   I hope this tribute grows and more friends will stop by to keep her memory alive. With respect and love.

                                                                                            James Unite

                     I remember meeting Gina in 1987, hanging outside CBGB’s, me peddling issues of my ‘zine & her selling copies of Last Daze. We had lots of friends in common, both having grown up in similar neighborhoods in the city & also sharing an obsession with everything related to NYHC.  The 2 things that come to mind when I think of her are the passion she had for music & an acerbic wit that manifested itself quite vividly on the written page & in conversation. I’ll never forget being outside a matinee at CB’s, where MAXIMUM PENALTY had just played, & some kid walked up to her & said: “Man, you guys rocked it in there!” Gina just looked at him with one eyebrow arched & said; “Thanks dude, but you’re thinking of Millie (MAXIMUM P’s bassist), she’s the other black girl from Brooklyn into HC!”

                     I lost touch with her during the ensuing 2 decades, but we reconnected online in ’08. We exchanged messages, catching up on our respective updates, kids/careers & the like. She hinted at serious health issues that she was going through, but in true Gina fashion she quickly changed the subject towards music & how much she still loved checking out new bands. She was particularly excited about the upcoming ABSOLUTION reunion & reminiscing how much that band had blown her away all those years ago. I felt for a moment that 20-something years had not passed & we were still teenagers, talking excitedly about the bands & people that had made such a lasting impression on us. We made tentative plans to meet up at said reunion, but sadly, it was not to be.

                    A friend of hers posted her untimely passing on her myspace page. At first I thought it was some kind of cruel hoax, but upon further verification, my wife & I managed to attend her wake one rainy night in Staten Island. It was really good to meet all her friends & family that clearly adored her, but the most striking meeting was talking to her 15 years old son & seeing his eyes light up when someone mentioned that he played guitar & had a band. I thought to myself, “wow, the apple really doesn’t fall far from the tree”. Gina, you would have been proud.

                    I’ve been meaning to put some issues up online of Last Daze, so people can see that individuals like her, with their unbridled enthusiasm & support for smaller bands that revolved around that magical era, were the unheralded support structure that made the NY scene what it was. I thank James for doing this tribute; by remembering & sharing stories about her, we can keep her memory alive. Those times & the people associated with them are forever etched onto my consciousness. HC changed us irrevocably, in a positive way, the both of us. Gina, I hope you’re in a better place. You have a lot of old friends that will forever treasure knowing you.

                                                        Freddy Alva ‘New Breed Fanzine

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