Who are the surviving The Ponys members? All about the band in the wake of drummer Nathan Jerde’s passing

Nathan Jerde, a member of the American indie rock band The Ponys, is no more. The band shared the news on its Facebook page on May 5, 2025, in a heartfelt tribute. However, not much is known about Jerde’s cause of death. The band wrote:

“It’s with the heaviest of hearts that we let you know our friend, our band mate, and our brother left this world today. Nathan was an amazing drummer and possessed savant like art skills.”

The post continued:

“Nathan loved goofing around, and had the sweetest of hearts. We traveled the world together. We ate amazing meals together and we met lifelong friends together. We fought like brothers sometimes, but we had so much fucking fun together. Nathan, we will miss you so much!”

The Ponys started their musical journey in 2001 after Jered Gummere formed the band. His partner, Melissa Elias, served as the bassist, and Jerde played the drums. Ian Adams was the organ player. Gummere, Elias, Adams, and Brian Case are the surviving members of the band, although the group is no longer in operation.

After making an informal agreement with In the Red, the band went to Detroit to record their debut album with producer Jim Diamond. This album, Laced with Romance, came out in early 2004.

A year later, they worked with experienced producer Steve Albini to create their second album, Celebration Castle, in 2005. In an interview with Slug Mag that year, Jared Gummere reflected on working with Albini, saying:

“We really wanted to record in Chicago. I didn’t want to travel anymore, and that was the first name that popped into my head. So we went to go tour the studio, which is a really awesome building … a really nice place, and basically called him up and said, “Can we record here?” He said yes. “Can we use you?” He said yes.”

Looking back at The Ponys’ works

Gummere played in a band called Guilty Pleasures when The Ponys were not set up. Melissa Elias was a student at Illinois State University in his hometown. The two started writing songs together and were later joined by Jerde.

The Ponys started performing at clubs around Chicago and eventually recorded their first singles with Contaminated and Big Neck Records. Matador Records shared an X post, writing:

“Deepest condolences to all friends, family and bandmates of The Ponys’ Nathan Jerde.”

In the Records also shared an Instagram post, writing:

“We’re beyond sad to hear the news of the passing of Nathan Jerde of The Ponys. He was an awesome guy and a fantastic drummer. To say he will be missed is an understatement.”

The Ponys recorded their first single, So Sentimental, while they were touring Memphis. It was released by Contaminated in 2003. Later that year, they put out a second single, Wicked City, through Big Neck.

Ian Adams exited the band in 2005, after which Brian Case joined. They broke up in 2007 but got back together for some shows in 2009 and 2010. They reunited once more in 2016 for another round of performances. Their most recent album, Turn the Lights Out, was released in 2007.

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