“Ace was the heartbeat behind it all: wild, funny, unpredictable, and always full of spirit. Those days, that laughter, that noise — they’ll stay with me forever.”
— Jay Pepper / TigerTailz

REST IN PEACE — After the recent death of Ace Finchum, the drummer’s former band TigerTailz have paid tribute to him.

Finchum died a week ago, over the weekend of October 4th & 5th.

Metal Sludge reported the unfortunate news with our article: ‘RIP … Ace Finchum former TigerTailz drummer Dead at 62’.

Since the sad news hit the wire, several of Finchum‘s former band-mates and industry friends have shared their condolences and random stories about the drummer.

The band’s co-founder and guitarist Jay “Mick” Pepper shared the following about Finchum on October 8th 2025: “I’m devastated to hear that our original Tigertailz drummer, Ace Finchum, has passed away.

From the chaos of ‘Young & Crazy’ to the fire of ‘Bezerk’, we lived those moments like our lives depended on it — and maybe they did.

Those two albums shaped the glam metal zeitgeist; they shaped who we were and everything we stood for.

Ace was the heartbeat behind it all: wild, funny, unpredictable, and always full of spirit. Those days, that laughter, that noise — they’ll stay with me forever.

Peace at last mate. But our music, our memories, and the love from the Tailz fans will keep your flame burning forever

Love Mick x
(Jay Pepper)”

The band’s original singer/frontman Steevi Jaimz also took to social media, in addition to breaking the sad news, Jaimz shared an image of himself with Ace Finchum from 1985.

Australian rock singer and White Widow frontman Jules Millis was the voice of TigerTailz from 2012-2015 and also shared a memory on Facebook writing: “Ace Finchum – i will miss you my brother. Thank you for inviting me into your life, your band & for your enduring friendship. You were always a sweet & passionate person, with a huge heart & were fiercely loyal. You were the reason I was the singer in Tigertailz, which allowed me to join a band I loved, that I had plastered on my wall when I was 14 years old. We toured through five countries together, shared many stages, drinks & laughs. You were an awesome drummer & you were an amazing person, but most of all you were an exceptional friend. I love you brother, God bless you & Rest In Peace.”

Rob Wylde of the band Midnite City another former member also paid tribute to Finchum with a post about his time in TigerTailz between 2012-2022.

Wylde who wore several hats in the band during his tenure wrote: “Really shocked and saddened to hear about the sudden passing of Ace Finchum. I have Ace to thank for getting me in Tigertailz way back in 2012, and if it wasn’t for Ace, that amazing opportunity which would last 10 years would never have arisen…

Ace and I were also roommates whilst out on tour and I affectionately always called him ‘Pappa Tailz’, a name he’s still stored under in my phone to this day. He was always my favourite member of the band and a really sweet human being who was always so nice to me.

Ace and I never lost touch and I only spoke to him a few weeks ago. Such a sad, sad loss My heart goes out to his family.

I hope he’s now finally at peace. Rest easy Pappa Tailz x”

Finchum at some point put together a TigerTailz U.S.A. version of the band which was fronted by Doug ‘Savage’ Ramsey the former Vaudville frontman from the Sunset Strip.

Ramsey shared the following: “RIP Ace !!!!! Peace is hard to find sometimes… I hope you found it… hope you’re with Pepsi. Till we meet again ”

Former Britny Fox and current Doro drummer Johnny Dee also shared the following: “Go easy, Ace Finchum. .”

The popular The Hair Metal Guru Youtube channel also shared a vlog about Finchum which we have shared below.

Metal Sludge sends condolences to all of Ace Finchum‘s family, friends, band-mates and fans.

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