Lost on Main will host an all-day benefit concert Sunday for local musician Johnny "Sawblades" Esau, who almost died because of an esophageal hemorrhage.
Esau had a blood clot in a major vein leading to his kidney, which put a strain on the rest of his veins, said Matt Glazer, event organizer and friend of Esau.
A year ago, Esau was getting really tired and sick all the time, Glazer said. As a result, a vein in his esophagus "got weak and blew."
Esau has been put on beta-blockers and blood thinners, Glazer said.
Glazer was having lunch with friends and telling them about Esau's situation, when one suggested throwing a benefit concert. Glazer started sending e-mails to bands, asking if they'd be interested, he said. Everyone he contacted responded.
There are 15 bands scheduled to play, including local favorites the Makai and Idle Discourse.
"Everybody knows John and was excited to do something to help out," Glazer said. "There were so many bands in the local area that wanted to help John."
Lost on Main chose to host the concert because Tommy Sprague of Tomahawk Productions and promotions at Lost on Main is a good friend of Glazer's.
The show will run from noon to midnight.
As bands were added to the lineup, the show "turned into kind of a marathon," Glazer said.
It is a testament to Esau's character, Glazer said. He is supportive of other musicians and always willing to help a friend in need.
"It's been a group effort of the local rock community," Glazer said.
Katie Perry of Devil Kat Rock Productions has been booking musical acts in Chico for years and is the press agent for the event.
She originally met Esau through his band, Reverse Order.
"I'm on the team to help them make money," Perry said.
She found a Web site about Esau's situation asking for help from the music community, and she decided to join the cause, Perry said.
There is no set amount of money they are trying to raise, just "as much as we possibly can," she said.
Esau needs help not only with his outrageous medical bills but also with the cost of living since he can't work.
The benefit concert will feature a range of bands, from reggae to heavy metal.
Perry and Glazer have both pointed out that every band involved in the show is responsible for some aspect of putting it together.
The event is the effort of the "530 local rock community," Perry said.
"That's what's cool about this town, everybody pooling together."
Liz Laird can be reached at llaird@theorion.com
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