Sad news as Machine Head co-founding drummer Tony Costanza has died. He was 52 years old. Costanza’s passing was confirmed by his former CRISIS bandmate Afzaal Nasiruddeen, who wrote in a Facebook post: “It is with a very heavy heart that I have to accept and inform everyone concerned that I lost my brother, band mate, home boy and family today.
“Tony Costanza was one of a kind. A man with a huge heart, love and loyalty for the ones close to him.
“I cannot relate to this reality of loss yet. I know he had a lot of admirers, and I was one of his biggest. He would have literally taken a bullet for me. Thats the kind of gangster brother he was.
“Tony died in his sleep this morning so I am sure he was at peace and in no pain.
“I wish his Mother all the strength she can muster as she will need every ounce of it.
“I will be starting a GofundMe page for her and Tony’s funeral expenses. Please help if you knew him and care.
“Please hold your loved ones close as the sense of loss is insurmountable sometimes.
“Tony my friend, I will love you and cherish our memories together, forever. Hope you are in a better place now. Rest In Peace.”
Costanza joined Machine Head in 1992 and sat behind the kit for the band’s first three shows — a punk rock house party on Woolsey Street in Oakland on August 15, 1992; at The Huntridge Theater in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 29, 1992; and at Los Angeles Metalfest at Gazarri’s in Hollywood, California on October 4, 1992. He left MACHINE HEAD in October 1992 and was replaced by Chris Kontos, who made his live debut with the group the following month.
Machine Head frontman Robb Flynn said that “a big chunk” of the band’s classic debut album, “Burn My Eyes”, was written with Costanza, who stepped in because Kontos —Robb’s first choice and then still a member of Attitude Adjustment and Grinch — didn’t have time to devote to Machine Head
“Tony was from Vegas and he had heard of us and was like, ‘Dude, I’ll come out right now,'” original Machine Head bassist Adam Duce said. “We wrote eight songs with him. But then he left because he lacked experience and there were also some personal problems between him and some of the other guys. At the same time, Chris started to gain interest again, and he was the one we wanted in the first place. Tony quit because he felt like he was going to be fired. So, then Chris came back and worked on the record with us.”