Frederick Charles Milner III, better known by his stage name Derf Scratch, was an American musician, best known as a former member of the punk rock band Fear and its original bass guitarist.
13 Facts About Derf Scratch
1.
2.
Derf Scratch met John Belushi during this time in Los Angeles.
3.
Derf Scratch co-wrote one song with Ving on the album, "Fresh Flesh", and wrote and sang lead vocal on another, "Getting The Brush" which was about his struggle to get his songs put on the album.
4.
Derf Scratch was seen with the band in the movie The Decline of Western Civilization and on an episode of Casey Kasem's syndicated America's Top 10 TV show where his band took first place receiving a "Gong" trophy.
5.
Derf Scratch, wishing to concentrate on guitar and saxophone, sold the Fender bass he used on The Record to then-Minutemen bassist Mike Watt.
6.
Derf Scratch produced a series of "Legs" works which he was planning to exhibit, he continued painting up until his death, his wife Tammy is in possession of these works.
7.
Derf Scratch is survived by his wife of fourteen years, Tammy.
8.
The nickname Derf Scratch was actually given to him by his parents when he was a child, it is simply Fred spelled backwards, he carried the name practically all his life.
9.
Derf Scratch was ostracized from the Saturday Night Live cast as it was suspected that he contributed to John Belushi's death by giving him his first taste of heroin.
10.
Derf Scratch met his wife Tammy in 1992 who at the time called herself "Rita Blackwood".
11.
Derf Scratch was a member of Derf Scratch and Friends who played keyboards and sang vocals.
12.
Derf Scratch was a real estate agent who had passed his test during his early days with Fear.
13.
Derf Scratch shared a desk with his parents at the realtor and would tell them he was going to look for properties, but would go to Lee Ving's place to brainstorm ideas for the band.