Feature Illustration by Screeching Bottlerocket
The wildfires that have ravaged the Southern California area this month have been harrowing to humans and animals. The fires have taken lives and homes. Many people and organizations around the United States and from other parts of the world have stepped up to help out with recovery efforts for the displaced and those who have suffered greatly. This includes many in the music community, raising funds and awareness.
Laura Jane Grace posted on her instagram account the following:
“Hello! The full live recording of our Operation Ivy covers set at the @emptybottle in Chicago this past September at @riotfest is now up and available through Catbite’s @bandcamp !!! Pay what you want with 100% of the proceeds going to @sweetreliefmusiciansfund & @bestfriendsanimalsociety.”
Though I was not able to be at the Empty Bottle on the evening this show was recorded, I did cover LJG and Catbite together at Riot Fest 2024. It was an incredible set. This is a fantastic way to help out some great organizations.
There are resources and fundraisers of all sizes. MusicCares is an organization. dedicated to assisting music professionals. The organization lists eligibility requirements for those music professionals affected by the wildfires in order to receive $1,500 in financial assistance and a $500 grocery card. Those include documentation of work in music for at least three years or six commercially released recordings or singles.
According to Billboard magazine “MusiCares (which has pledged $1 million with the Recording Academy in aid for music professionals affected) is encouraging musicians affected by the fires to get in touch at musicaresrelief@musicares.org or 1-800-687-4227 for possible access to emergency funds.”
Donations can also be made to MusiCares via its main site.
Billboard Magazine also provides a listing of major music-related organizations pitching in to help.
Liar’s Club, in Chicago, is doing a two-part fundraiser. The venue will host an evening show on Friday, January 24th. Local H; Viceroy; and Tuff Sudz will perform.
Per Liar’s Club instagram account:
“TRYING TO HELP ANY WAY WE CAN FROM CHICAGO. LIAR’S CLUB PRESENTS: WILDFIRE RELIEF FOR VICTIMS OF THE GREATER LOS ANGELES AREA, FEATURING LOCAL H, TUFF SUDZ, AND VICEROY! PROCEEDS WILL GO TO THE RED CROSS OF GREATER LOS ANGELES, MUSICARES, AND ANGEL CITY PIT BULLS. SPECIAL THANKS TO PABST BLUE RIBBON FOR DONATION MATCHING PROGRAM!“
The Friday night show sold out so fast that organizers added a second event, starting in the afternoon on Sunday, January 26. Bands and musicians performing include: The Handcuffs; John Langford (solo); Torch The Hive; Death and Memphis, and Ricky Liontones.
Pennywise jumped into action right away. The band designed a special t-shirt to raise funds. On his official Instagram account, Pennywise frontman Jim Lindberg announced “100% of proceeds go to wildfire victims relief. Go to Pennywisemerch.com to get this shirt and help those in need and support our fire response team.”
Dayton, Ohio’s Hawthorne Heights is showing love for friends, family, and fans on the west coast. The band, with friends, hosts “Because Our Heart Is In Los Angeles.” The January 23rd event took place at Garden Amp in Garden Grove, CA. Alll proceeds from the shows to go to Altadena Girls, MusiCares, and Altadena Rotary Club.
On Instagram, in response to a fan asking if a shirt or something else will be available for non-locals, the band noted that it is “working on this and other things for non locals. Stay tuned.”
These are just some of punks doing good this month. Even if not able to attend a show listed above, there are links to organizations needing donations. There are many organizations doing great work in response to the devastation, helping humans and animals, and working to rebuild the City of Angels.
A few of these organizations include The Pasadena Humane Society, which has been on the front lines to save animals displaced by the fires and working to reunite them with their families, if and when possible.
The American Red Cross, and GreaterGood.Org. For more information on trustworthy places to donate, please check out Charity Navigator.
All of us at Dying Scene extend our love and hearts to all of those affected by the Wildfires in Los Angeles.
We also extend our gratitude to the first responders and volunteers, as well as the journalists bringing us the stories big and small and putting a human face to the devastation.
This year, Dying Scene is working to regularly spotlight those in the punk community doing good works for others. Whether it’s punk musicians and crews, fans, venues, or other related people and organizations, we want to make sure the good people are getting the proper shout-outs.
We also want to provide you, the DS followers, information as to how you can join in the efforts. There are tough times ahead, and while it may not always seem to be the case, there are, in fact, good people out there doing the right things. If you know of an organization or individual/group of individuals you feel should be celebrated for the good works they do in service of others please let us know. The best way is to drop a dm to me or Forrest.
Cheers!
