Category Archives: Benefit

Hoboken rallies for Los Straitjackets guitarist Danny Amis

Posted on July 2, 2011 | Leave a comment

Danny Amis, also known as Daddy-O Grande of the legendary surf instrumental group Los Straitjackets (and who once played with Hoboken surf instrumental band The Raybeats), was diagnosed with multiple myeloma recently. He was uninsured at the time, but he managed to get help through the new Affordable Care Act and through the assistance of his music-industry friends.

One of the things his friends have done is throw benefit concerts. His Hoboken buddies got together at Maxwell’s on Wednesday night, June 2. It was a blast-from-the-past show with an amazing lineup: Tall Lonesome Pines, The Purple Knif, The Schramms, The Raybeats (joined briefly by Adele Bertei, former keyboard player and singer with James Chance and the Contortions), The Individuals and an unannounced set by Yo La Tengo.

It was announced at the show that Danny’s had a stem cell transplant and is doing well. Danny writes about his situation on his website.

It was a fantastic show, with a lot of crossover among the bands. It went on until after midnight, a tough thing for some people at a midweek show, but it was worth the long night. Those who left after Bar/None founder Glenn Morrow’s band, The Individuals, wrapped up missed the YLT set.

Click through to the jump for exclusive photos of the show from Will You Miss Me When I’m Gone?

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Posted in Benefit, Concerts, Music, News, Pop and Rock, Review

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UPDATE: The Bock Family Benefit is SOLD OUT!!!

Posted on January 14, 2011 | Leave a comment

Remember our post about The World’s Most Literary Rent Party Ever (aka the Bock Family Benefit)? Well, it’s going to be an awesome party. It sold out in just days thanks to all who have read about this here at Will You Miss Me When I’m Gone? and all the places that have pitched in to get the word out!

If you didn’t get tickets, get yourself on the waiting list. Maybe you can score one at the last minute. And even if you can’t, please donate to the cause: helping the family of NYC novelist Charles Bock, author of Beautiful Children, whose wife, Diana Colbert, is battling leukemia.

Here’s what the organizers say about the waiting list. But don’t wait too long.

We are sold out, but there is a waiting list on the off-chance we get cancellations in advance. If you’d like to be put on the list, please email: most.lit.rent.party.ever@gmail.com.

Thanks, everyone, for buying, and we’ll see you soon. If you can’t come, but would still like to donate to the Bocks, please return to the homepage and go from there.

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Help novelist Charles Bock and his family

Posted on January 10, 2011 | 1 comment

Tickets for this star-studded benefit to assist acclaimed New York novelist are on sale. Buy yours now by clicking here

Charles Bock (Photo by Diana Colbert)

I met novelist Charles Bock when he was in the final stages of writing his first novel, “Beautiful Children.” We met while Charles was toiling anonymously as a day-rate writer. A 2008 New York Times Magazine cover story described it as  “a very unhappy stint as a rewrite man at a supermarket tabloid.”

However unhappy that time may have been — and there’s not doubt of that — there were some good moments too.

Many of us were rooting for Charles to succeed, to finish the novel and break out of tabloid hell. We were proud to see him get a book deal, and even more proud to read the extraordinary result of his 11 years of labor.

We came to realize that despite projecting a tattooed, tough-guy image, Charles is a warm, loving man with a great rock-and-roll spirit.

In on Dec. 11, December, 2008, less than a year after the novel was published, Charles and wife Diana Colbert had a lovely daughter, Lily.

In July 2009, Diana was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia. By November 2009, she had a bone-marrow transplant. Diana was hopeful and positive in posts on her Facebook page. But a few months ago, the disease returned. Continue reading →

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Posted in Benefit, Books, Humor, Music, News, Pop and Rock

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Chekhov under an open sky

Posted on August 8, 2010 | 3 comments

Ivanov (Rob Campbell) dances on the water of Lake Lucille in the magical conclusion to Chekhov's Ivanov. (Photos copyright 2010, Steven P. Marsh)

Lake Lucille echoed with the sounds of stagecraft for five days last week as a company of 60 actors, musicians and various other theater professionals put together a free, outdoor production of Ivanov, by Anton Chekhov, performed from a new translation by Curt Columbus.

This production of Chekhov on Lake Lucille was particularly welcomed because it marked the return of a neighborhood tradition. The annual run was broken last summer when host-producers Melissa Kievman and Brian Mertes moved to the West Coast for personal and professional reasons. But they kept their wonderful brownstone house — which is the centerpiece of the set for each Chekhov production — and managed to return this summer with a bigger-than-ever performance and neighborhood cookout and potluck supper at intermission.

Melissa Kievman, Brian Mertes and the band.

You could call it summer camp for theater professionals. Most of the volunteer staff spent the week living in tents, eating meals alfresco in the neighborhood and working to create a context for Chekhov’s drama in the suburban landscape of the Lake Lucille neighborhood.

It drew hundreds of guests to enjoy the creative staging under clear skies with moderate summer temperatures.

Dozens of neighbors and local businesses provided support for an undertaking that costs thousands of dollars. This year, the West Branch Conservation Association, Rockland’s Land Trust, helped produce the play with a grant obtained by the office of Assemblyman Kenneth P. Zebrowski and the late state Sen. Thomas P. Morahan. The Tisch East Alumni Council help with a microgrant for costuming.

The production uses the natural features. Here Ivanov makes an entrance from the lake itself.

Ivanov emerges, dripping wet.

Ivanov walks through the audience toward the stage.

As is often the case in Chekhov, the characters complain of boredom.

But Jesse J. Perez, who played Kosikh, choreographed some great routines to keep things interesting:

Check out more photos after the jump.

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Reconsidering the encore: Jeff Mangum at the Chris Knox benefit

Posted on May 8, 2010 | Leave a comment

The lobby of (Le) Poisson Rouge, complete with fish tank.

Thursday’s magnificent Chris Knox benefit show at (Le) Poisson Rouge is one that will give music fans a lot to ponder for years to come — along with raft of great memories.

When I wrote yesterday that I wished Jeff Mangum had not done an encore to his spectacular mid-show set, I wasn’t criticizing him or his performance. After the encore was over, I was as thrilled as anyone in the crowd to have heard him do yet another song.  But before he started “Engine,” I was fearful that the perfect moment he created in his four-song set might somehow be damaged.

The Neutral Milk Hotel frontman seemed so happy to be playing in public to such an adoring audience that his return for an encore seemed natural rather than forced. I asked the show’s organizer, Ben Goldberg, about how it all happened organically.

Benefit organizer Ben Goldberg.

“It’s funny, I fully wasn’t expecting Jeff to play again once he got offstage,” Ben tells Will You Miss Me When I’m Gone? “He seemed both elated and relieved it was over.

“But then he heard people screaming and was like, ‘Should I do Engine? You think I should do Engine?’ So, it kind of felt like a true encore – not planned.

“In fact, Dimmer [the New Zealand band that played next] was already coming out to set up. I had to stop them so he could play!

“I know what you mean about the encore being a bit of a tag-on, but I don’t know…everyone singing along like they did…it seemed special in and of itself.”

The experience clearly blew away Ben — just like it did the rest of the crowd. “It’s terrible to be the organizer of a big show like that and feel completely emotionally drained halfway through!”

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The rock show of the year

Posted on May 6, 2010 | Leave a comment

Chris Knox

The year may be far from over, but Will You Miss Me  When I’m Gone? has a feeling that the Chris Knox benefit at Manhattan club (Le) Poisson Rouge tonight is very likely to be the highlight of the year for those lucky enough to have gotten in.

We may have lagged a bit it posting while we search for new funding sources to keep WYMMWIG? going, but that hasn’t kept us away from the clubs and concert halls of New York and environs. And, with a bit of luck, we’ll be back with some recent updates tomorrow.

For now, you’ll have to settle for this.

For starters, you might ask, who’s Chris Knox and why does he need a benefit?

Well, unless you’ve been living under a rock, you can probably guess the answer to the second half of the question. Chris Knox is a musician, and, like most committed, full-time musicians, he doesn’t have adequate health care. (Not to be too grim about it, but the rock world has lost way too many of its best to the lack of proper health care — think Jay Bennett, for instance.)

The reclusive Jeff Mangum of Neutral Milk Hotel is making a very, very rare appearance at the Chris Knox benefit.

Now, back to the first part of the question. Knox, 57, is a New Zealand rocker who with Alex Bathgate formed Tall Dwarfs, a pioneer of the lo-fi rock movement. He had a series of strokes last year, and now his musical descendants are lining up to pay him back for his tremendous influence by raising money to pay his medical bills.

Those musical descendants make up a list of indie rock’s’ best and brightest — and most reclusive.

The scheduled appearance of Jeff Mangum, the brains behind Neutral Milk Hotel, is stirring the most interest. He’s  been rather reclusive for the last 10 years, but is slated to play a short set tonight.

And then there’s the rest of the list (and organizer Ben Goldberg of BaDaBing Records says the lineup has been changing by the day), which includes: Yo La Tengo, the Magnetic Fields’ Claudia Gonson (can Stephin Merritt stay away?), TV on the Radio’s Kyp Malone, Portastatic, The Clean, Sharon Van Etten, David Kilgour and who knows how many more.

Goldberg won’t even think about giving out a set list, so if you’re going, you need to get there early and plan to stay late. And don’t expect to see the usual host of photos on WYMMWIG? tomorrow, because all cameras are banned — there won’t even be a house photographer! Given how tightly this thing has been run, I pity the first jerk who’s caught taking photos during the show!

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Care Bears on Fire playing Nassau Coliseum

Posted on February 9, 2010 | Leave a comment

Care Bears on Fire, Izzy, Sophie and Jena (from left) rock Cake Shop on Saturday afternoon. (Photos copyright 2009, Steven P. Marsh)

Amazingly fun teen pop-punkers Care Bears on Fire pulled together the second in their series of Saturday afternoon showcases on Feb. 6 at Cake Shop on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. The tiny basement club is a perfect place for the girls to work on their sound and snarl in front of hardcore fans and with little to distract them from the music.

Things will be very differen this Saturday, when CBoF is on the Pop-Con bill at Nassau Coliseum opening for riot-inducing kiddie pop star Justin Bieber. Saturday’s show is probably one for parents to drop off their children and pick them up later. It’s not the kind of show that even I, a hardcore CBoF fan, will probably be able to tolerate. But it’s a great opportunity for the high-energy trio. And you can catch their next Let Them Eat Cake show at Cake Shop, 152 Ludlow St., on the Lower East Side on Saturday, March 6.

Check out more photos of the Cake Shop show and the other bands that performed at the showcase to benefit Haiti after the jump. Continue reading →

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Posted in Benefit, Concerts, Music, News, Pop and Rock, Punk

Music raises money for Haiti

Posted on January 23, 2010 | Leave a comment
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The Young Peoples Chorus of New York City kicked off the evening at City Winery on Wednesday. (Photos copyright 2010, Steven P. Marsh)

John Wesley Harding

The Carolina Chocolate Drops

Michael Stipe didn't sing, but his mere presence got the crowd stirred up.

Patti Smith and Lenny Kaye are always there for a good cause.

Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, aka The Swell Season

Yo La Tengo

Joshua Bell and friends

There was a bit of irony in a crowd gathering at City Winery in TriBeCa to feast on great food and wine and listen to some of the most-loved bands around play to raise funds for those suffering in Haiti. But Wednesday night’s show, the first of four aimed at raising $100,000 for Haiti by charging $75 a head ($200 for VIP).

The irony quickly faded to the background once the part started Wednesday. There was a real feeling of joy from the performers and artists alike. This tremendous tragedy seems to have galvanized New Yorkers in gratifying ways.

The sets were all too-short, but consistently well-done. It was a very impressive effort.

Will You Miss Me When I’m Gone? didn’t have a prime spot for photography, but got some images that will help us remember the great night

Tim Griffin got some truly awesome photos, which you can check out by clicking here.

And please consider attending on of the two remaining shows. Mystifyingly, ticket prices are lower for the remaining shows than for the first. Rosanne Cash, Nada Surf, Tabou Combo and others are performing at 8 pm tomorrow (click here for more information and tickets at $50; $200 VIP), while piano-based singer-snogwriter Vienna Teng and guitarist singer-songwriter Ari Hest are two of the better-known indie artists on Monday night’s show, which also starts at 8 (click here for more information and tickets at $20; $75 VIP).

City Winery is at 155 Varick St. (between Spring and Vandam). Doors open for dinner at 5 pm. Seating is first-come, first-served, so if position matters, be early. Showtimes are pretty accurate.

Meanwhile, if the City Winery lineups do nothing for you, check out A Night of Comedy and Music to Benefit Haiti at the Music Hall of Williamsburg tonight. It’s presented by Bowery Presents and BrooklynVegan. It features short sets by: Zach Galifianakis, Britt Daniel (of Spoon), Justin Vernon (Bon Iver), St. Vincent, Janeane Garofalo, Wyatt Cenac (of the Daily Show), the live debut of John Shade (ex Dave Godowsky) & possibly more. Advance tickets appear to be sold out, but some may be available at the door for $40. The Music Hall of Williamsburg is at 66 North Sixth Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

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City Winery’s four nights for Haiti relief

Posted on January 18, 2010 | Leave a comment

Patti Smith is just one of the artists who will perform for Haiti relief at City Winery. (Copyright 2010, Steven P. Marsh)

Will You Miss Me When I’m Gone? will be at the first of four nights of fantastic Haiti-relief. I’d like to make all four, but I’m not sure I have the cash (it’s $75 minimum,  but it’s worth as it’s for an important cause!) or the free time to do that. But everyone who cares about music and about the tragedy in Haiti should try to make it to at least one of these shows. It’s a great way for music fans to make a contribution.

All four nights are shaping up to be amazing. Patti Smith, Yo La Tengo, John Wesley Harding, comedian Lewis Black, Vernon Reid, Corey Glover, Roseanne Cash, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Carolina Chocolate Drops and many more entertainers of all types. City Winery promises that more will be added.

The third night (Jan. 25) in particular, should be a great party given that U.S-based Tabou Combo (misspelled on the poster as Tambou Combo), one of the longest-running bands specializing in an irresistible Haitian dance music called compas (or konpa direk), is on the bill. I haven’t seen TC in years, but by all accounts it remains an amazing dance band.

City Winery’s goal is to raise $100,000 for Haiti relief over the four nights. Tickets ($75 general admission, $200 for Big-Hearted Donor tickets, which include a bottle of special wine) are tax deductible. Proceeds are being split among three charities: Wyclef Jean‘s Yele Haiti Foundation, Doctors Without Borders and Partners in Health.

Click here for more info and to buy tickets. As of this posting, it seems that tickets are still available for all four shows. Showtimes vary slightly from 8 to 9 pm, so check the time when you buy tickets. Unlike many City Winery shows, these shows are all general admission — although the $200 ticket will get you into the VIP area. My advice to you is to ignore your New York concert-going instincts to arrive late. If you want a good spot, arrive on time. Or even early! The good people at City Winery assure me that the kitchen will be open for all four shows, so you’ll be able to pass the time until the show starts with eating as well as drinking.

City Winery is at 155 Varick St., New York, NY 10013. Call (212) 608-0555 or email info@citywinery.com for more information.

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