John Dukes Schroeder (July 12, 1961 â May 7, 2016), known professionally as John Stabb, was an American punk rock vocalist, best known as the founding frontman of the hardcore punk band Government Issue. Active from the late 1970s until his death in 2016, Stabb also performed with numerous other bands including The Factory Incident, Weatherhead, Stabb, Emma Peel, Betty Blue, Stain, and History Repeated.
Stabb was born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Rockville, Maryland, where he attended Colonel Zadok A. Magruder High School. In addition to his music career, he occasionally acted and was a freelance writer for Washington City Paper and Forced Exposure.
Stabb married his longtime partner Mina Devadas on St. PatrickâÂÂs Day 2016 while hospitalized at Holy Cross Hospital (Silver Spring). After a 112-day battle with stomach cancer, he died at a hospice in Rockville, Maryland on May 7, 2016, at the age of 54.
Stabb was known for his energetic stage presence and distinctive personality, which helped define the sound and identity of Government Issue and the Washington, D.C. hardcore punk scene. In a 2015 interview, he remarked, "I was the only one who could stand myself," reflecting the humor and self-awareness that endeared him to fans and fellow musicians.
Stabb appeared in Salad Days, a documentary about the D.C. punk scene. He also participated in independent films such as Blood and Steel and performed at Cedar Crest Country Club events.
Stabb contributed music commentary and articles to Washington City Paper and Forced Exposure.