Joseph Reece Payne (October 12, 1984 – January 24, 2020)[1] was an American heavy metal bassist and guitarist.
He was born in Tampa, Florida, United States. Until 2011, Payne played bass in the heavy metal band Divine Heresy; with Fear Factory guitarist Dino Cazares, vocalist Travis Neal and ex-Vital Remains and Hate Eternal drummer Tim Yeung.[2]
Payne joined death metal band Nile in early 2005 for their American and European tours, after learning eleven Nile songs in only three days.[citation needed] In February 2007, Karl Sanders confirmed that Payne had been fired by the band in a posting on the band's message board.[3] stating, "I guess I have to spell it out. Yes, Joe is fired." Sanders did not go on to elaborate on the reasons for Payne's dismissal.
Payne was a close friend with film producer/musician Pascual Romero.
In late 2012, Payne and an associate were arrested in connection with an investigation into the distribution of more than 2,900 grams (6.4 pounds) of marijuana.[4]
On January 24, 2020, his former bandmate, Dino Cazares, announced that Payne had died at the age of 35. No cause of death was disclosed.[5]
