Co-founder and former bass player of the punk rock group Fear (1977-1982). He left the band shortly after the release of their debut album, "The Record" (1982).
The son of realtors, Derf was a licensed real estate agent before pursuing a music career.
Derf played bass on the early Fear song "Camarillo", about the now-defunct state mental hospital in California. He later made his home in the city of Camarillo, and died there.
"Derf" was a childhood nickname given to him by his parents. It is simply Fred spelled backwards.
Was friends with John Belushi, who arranged for Fear's notorious 1981 guest appearance on TV's "Saturday Night Live".