As you'll recall, outgoing Filter editor Gregg Lagambina was name-checking Rivers Cuomo on his way offstage. This time, it's Lagambina's no. 2, Chris Martins, rallying the troops as the spotlight shifts:

Filter Magazine is hurting right now, having lost an integral part of its being. Gregg was a lot of what this magazine is. His extremely unique set of tastes, his quirky humor, his downright graceful way with words...these were the meat of the mag. That being said, the mag must move forward.

Martins' full memo:

-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Martins
Sent: Friday, April 14, 2006 6:12 PM
To: Chris Martins
Subject: Changes at Filter Magazine

Hello all. As you are probably aware, there have been a few changes 'round the Filter Mag office of late. After four years of helming this fine galleon out in the sadly uncharted waters of good writing, good music AND good ideas, our man Gregg LaGambina is heading out to cut a new path through the waves of whatever’s next.

Filter Magazine is hurting right now, having lost an integral part of its being. Gregg was a lot of what this magazine is. His extremely unique set of tastes, his quirky humor, his downright graceful way with words...these were the meat of the mag. That being said, the mag must move forward.

I'm not too proud to admit to all of you gathered here digitally that both Gregg and our former co-conspirator Mikel Jollett were mentors as well as co-workers of mine. They taught me much, and without them I wouldn't be so confident that Filter Magazine will going on strong, well, without them. But it will. And I'm not alone.

Some of you know Pat McGuire already; hopefully you've all read his work in Filter. He's been writing for the magazine for 10 issues and two years, and working with Mini hands-on since its inception. He's also been a Filter office stalwart—a full-time employee of FilterMMM—all the while, working behind the scenes to keep us afloat.

Today, I'm proud to announce that Pat will be joining me in heading up the editorial department. He and I have been talking 'what ifs' since we first crossed paths, so despite the sadness inherent in these changes, the future is starting to look like the beginning steps of a dream come true. Pat's got one of the most creative minds we've yet to work with and he's a damn fine fellow to boot, so welcome him to the fold.

We—along with our extremely talented and patient art director Eric Almendral and our ace photography coordinator Andrea Labarge, not to mention our ever-growing list of brave-hearted scribes—look forward working together to uphold the Filter standard, and we look forward to working with all of you. Like the music that we all hold so dear, Filter Magazine will prevail.

Sincerely,
Chris Martins

EARLIER: Filter Editor Has Edited His Last Rivers Cuomo Profile