Two months after Butte County was ravaged by devastating wildfires, musicians and concert promoters are joining forces in an effort to give back to those who lost their homes this summer.
North Valley Community Foundation and music acts are coming together for a benefit concert, the "Ultimate Firefight: Beatles vs. Rolling Stones," at 9 p.m. Saturday at Nick's Night Club.
The rules are simple: 20 regional bands will choose either a Rolling Stones or Beatles song to perform. The bands will then hash it out in front of anyone willing to contribute $5 to a good cause.
Aubrey Debauchery and The Puke Boots, The Shankers, Mute Witness, Watson 349, John Staedler and Belles and Whistles are among the bands scheduled to perform.
Instead of offering a grand prize, the musicians will win the satisfaction of giving back to those whose lives were changed forever by the fires and a chance to play in front of a large crowd.
For some bands, deciding on a song to play was a process of elimination.
"We narrowed it down to a few Beatles songs that have great harmonized vocal parts," said Sean McFadden, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for Watson 349.
McFadden and his bandmates thought it was best to choose a song similar to their own style of music, he said. For other artists, knowing which song to play came naturally.
"It was easy because I've already been playing it for years," said vocalist and acoustic guitarist John Staedler.
Staedler's ambiguity about announcing which song he chose is similar to that of all the artists on the bill.
The North Valley Community Foundation will handle the fundraising efforts. It organizes and channels donations to nonprofit organizations through "Annie B's Community Drive," which honors devout philanthropist Annie Bidwell.
In order to bolster fundraising efforts the foundation makes additional contributions to its drives on a percentage basis for every donation made, according to the foundation's Web site.
The "Ultimate Firefight" is one of two benefits taking place during the first week of school.
The "Tame the Flame" benefit rocked the Senator Theatre on Saturday night, with a slew of hard rock and metal bands in support of the Three Rivers Chapter of the American Red Cross. It also provided aid to fire victims.
These benefits would not get off the ground without the help of dedicated community volunteers such as Jason Cassidy. He has organized shows in his spare time for the past 16 years, he said.
Cassidy has put on more than 30 benefit shows and relies on the bands to help contribute with more than just music, he said.
Setup and teardown of each band's equipment would not be possible because of time constraints, he said. Instead, each band plays with the same amps and drums, which are mostly provided by the musicians.
At his most recent fundraising event, Cassidy and others managed to raise more than $700 for the Butte Humane Society with the benefit show "One For The Dawgs," where bands covered rap songs.
There are many ways to help support a good cause, but going to a rock show for some great music might be one of the easiest and most enjoyable. All one needs to do is show up and rock out.
Shea Cardinalli can be reached at scardinalli@theorion.com
Related links North Valley Community Foundation donation information
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