Review: Benefit For Lucinda's Kids (Feat. H.R., Tommy Stinson, & Alan Vega) @ Bowery Electric

Benefit For Lucinda's Kids Featuring H.R., Tommy Stinson, & Alan Vega @ The Bowery Electric - April 30, 2012
Review: Lara Morrow & Damien

Part 1: Damien

"Don't Be A Dick" t-shirts. The frontman of legendary punk outfit Bad Brains sitting backstage in a woman's wig, calmly eating a leaf. A freaky dude in a white t-shirt who looked like he stepped out of a C+C Music Factory video and moved like a breakdancing magician.

Clearly, I knew from the first minute I stepped into The Bowery Electric that this wasn't going to be like any children's benefit I'd ever been to before.

This was the second night of the Benefit For Lucinda's Kids, an awe-inspiring campaign driven by the friends of Hoboken-based mother and music fan Lucinda Gallagher, who sadly took her own life in December of last year. The Benefit team, including FN reader Julia Hughes, brought together the best of NYC's music and entertainment communities to pull off a two-night concert, an auction of cool and rare memorabilia, and an ongoing fundraising effort to help support Lucinda's young teenagers - both budding musicians themselves - and allow them to pursue their dreams as they grow into adulthood.

Punk Legends (HR, Tommy Stinson, Alan Vega + More) To Play Benefit For Lucinda's Kids

One of my favorite things about being a fan of veteran bands and artists is the overwhelming sense of camaraderie in the community. We all love getting together and discussing our favorite artists, albums, and associated musical memories, and this fandom has formed the basis of some long-lasting bonds of friendship through our lives.

These bonds can be used as powerful force for good in the face of tragedy, which is the story behind the upcoming Benefit For Lucinda's Kids at The Bowery Electric. FN reader Julia Hughes, who along with her friends has been working hard to organize the benefit, provided more details about the event:

"Lucinda, an incredible person who was a dear friend to me and many others, tragically committed suicide in December, leaving behind two amazing kids aged 17 and 13. Proceeds go to the kids and to the Samaritans NYC, the 24 hour suicide hotline in NYC. The event includes shows on April 29 & 30, a raffle (Letterman tickets, Mets tickets, concert tickets, all sorts of great stuff up for grabs), and an auction (items from Bob Gruen, Mary Louise Parker, John Varvatos, and more)."

The organizers are very active in the music community, and the two-night benefit will feature a Who's Who of amazing artists donating their time & performances for the cause. Night 1 will feature artists like Marah and Jesse Malin, while Night 2 will have headlining sets from legendary Bad Brains frontman HR, Tommy Stinson (The Replacements, Guns 'N Roses), and Alan Vega (Suicide).

You can learn more about the event, purchase tickets, and provide donations for Lucinda's kids on the Benefit's Facebook page, and we strongly encourage all of our readers to help out however they can. We'll be at Night 2 of the benefit and hope to see you there!

Photos: Fishbone @ Brooklyn Bowl (Early and Late shows)

Fishbone @ Brooklyn Bowl – November 13, 2011
Photos: Carrie Jordan

On Sunday, the infamous ska/rock/funk/punk legends Fishbone took over Williamsburg’s Brooklyn Bowl to play two full sets—one acoustic (a rarity for the group) and one full on Fishbone-style. As evidenced by the photos, it appeared to be all the wackiness and insanity you’d expect from Angelo Moore (a.k.a. Dr. Madd Vibe) and company, who have been going strong in one formation or another since 1979. H.R., frontman for a little band named Bad Brains (who coincidentally also played an opening set for Big Audio Dynamite at Brooklyn Bowl last August), made a very special appearance with the band.

Fishbone released the EP Crazy Glue last month and are reportedly working on a new full length album, their first since 2006. Our photographer Carrie Jordan caught both shows for us, and you can take a look at her photos below…

Mixtape: Fucking Nostalgic #1 (Schizophrenia)

The first of many. This mix includes:

Schizophrenia - Sonic Youth
Learn How - Mission of Burma
Supertouch/Shitfit - Bad Brains
Mannequin - Wire
Fast Canoe - Polvo
Cupid Come - My Bloody Valentine
I've Been Tired - Pixies
Kennel District - Pavement
Franz Schubert/Endless Endless - Kraftwerk

Available to stream below or download. All from vinyl (though I doubt I can keep that up). Enjoy!

Fucking Nostalgic #1 (Schizophrenia) by csgersbeck