Sure, some of its membership may be guilty of mounting farewell tours that never end or putting out thinly-veiled cash-grab CDs as "greatest hits" packages. But by and large, the musical community is a reliable lot—particularly in times of need, suffering or the innumerable combinations of both.
And the Western Massachusetts scene is no exception.
After a rash of arson-induced fires ravaged Northampton Christmas weekend, area venue owners and bands swiftly responded, announcing benefit shows to raise awareness of the situation and funds for the victims.
"I put up a note on Facebook and made a couple calls that Sunday after the fires," states the woman who spearheaded several such affairs, Ward 3 resident and musician Ella Longpre. "Within 24 hours, I had received hundreds of messages."
As of press time, these dates and venues had been secured for more than three dozen performers who had already signed on to the cause: The Elevens Jan. 9, The Sierra Grille Jan. 21, The Rendezvous (Turners Falls) Jan. 22, PACE (Easthampton) Jan. 28 and Bishop's Lounge Feb. 6.
For more information on future benefits/specific lineups, visit www.simpletexts.org/northampton or email northamptonbenefitshows@gmail.com.
*
Meanwhile, a show that has been on the books for some time now—"Don't Do Me Like That: A Tribute To Tom Petty" at the Iron Horse Jan. 7—will also aid in the arson relief efforts, with organizers announcing their decision to donate proceeds and hopefully raise more than a little Petty cash for local victims.
"I was happy to hear that the show will help those involved in these terrible events," notes scheduled performer Jim Armenti (of Lonesome Brothers fame). "As for my set, I must confess I have only listened to Petty in passing… but my wife is an avid listener and said I must cover 'Last Dance With Mary Jane,' and so it is!"
Fellow performer Levin Schwartz revealed that he plans to utilize his time with his new band—which includes his brother, Jazer Giles of Rusty Belle, along with Chris Trevethan of Primate Fiasco, Lyon Graulty and Josh Rellin of The Amity Front and Jason Schwartz—to put a Cajun spin on the Traveling Wilbury's "The End Of The Line."
"When I was 13, my family and I traveled the country for a month and a half, visiting national parks," Schwartz goes on to explain. "For the entire time, I remember us only having a few tapes… one of which was The Traveling Wilburys. We wore that tape thin."
For his part, Orange Crush's lead singer Scott Lawson Pomeroy will be flying in from Petty's home state of Florida just two days prior to their scheduled set. "Now," he jokes, "I just have to make sure none of the other passengers on the plane try and set fire to their underwear, I guess."
Ironically, Petty himself was the victim of a near-fatal arson attempt at his former home in Encino, Calif. in 1987.
Tickets for the Petty tribute are $10 in advance and $13 at the door and are available via iheg.com.
*
Last up, percussionist Jason Aller checked in to report that his band, Medicated Savage, appears to have better than a Fighting chance to garner some national exposure in 2010 and beyond. "A good friend of ours, Ricardo Funch, has become the newest member of the Ultimate Fighting Championship and will use our song 'Blood of the Heroes' each time he enters the Octagon," Aller explains. "UFC owner Dana White personally called me to say he liked the song and approved it for pay-per-view events."
Aller and his allies in aggressive audio production will perform live at Club Meadows in East Longmeadow this Friday, Jan. 8.
Send correspondence to Nightcrawler, P.O. Box 427, Somers, CT 06071; fax to (860) 698-9373 or email Garycarra@aol.com.
