Rock for the Red Cross

Written by Kurt F. Stone Wednesday, 14 January 2009 06:33

Rock. Roll. Half naked women. Liquor, gentlemen with very large cameras, and – disaster relief? Sure doesn’t seem like a typical night at The Fox.

I didn’t anticipate December 18^th to be a particularly quiet Thursday in Boulder. Exams were over, school was out and celebrations were due to begin. On this particular evening The Fox held host to Syntropic Music’s inaugural Rock for the Red Cross – a concert put together solely for the benefit of the American Red Cross.

“The Red Cross saved Gription,” Gription front man and singer Vince Patterman comments in an interview conducted with a Red Cross representative. And, more or less, they did. The story goes like this: Five years ago a massive house fire consumed just about everything the band owned. At this point, the band was 6 months old, living together and working other-wise dead end jobs. Their instruments were safely stowed away across town at a friendly rehearsal space.

That night, the town of Madison came together and made sure each band member consumed something to the tune of three gallons of grain alcohol. The next morning, the Red Cross was there to give them vouchers for clothing, motel rooms and more. While they didn’t hand them the world, their assistance sure helped them get back on their feet.

Five years later, they are one of the most cohesive and talented rock acts that has gone undiscovered.

Opening the event for Gription were local bands Demon Funkies and Something Underground, who collaborated on a few songs including a heavy rock cover of Little Drummer Boy. ‘Tis the season, after all. This song just proved that if a musician ever doubts the quality of their sound, they should just add more drums.

During the event, local area Suicide Girls Serefina and Colada were present as sexy Red Cross nurses to take additional contributions. Serefina and Colada weren’t there real names, just stage aliases. This is because they are naked on the internet.

In case you aren’t aware, the Suicide Girls may be the best thing to happen to the universe since the invention of those bras with the clasps in the front. These girls are insanely hot, vicious, heavily pierced and tattooed and they are very, very naked (at least, on the internet). This evening, however, they are modestly dressed in costumes that reflect the spirit of the evening – short nurse skirts with thigh high stockings. It’s enough to put a guy like me in jail.

Gription takes the stage around 10 p.m. and puts on a hell of a show. Playing songs from their new CD, Last in Line, and a few spot on covers including a Kiedis-quality performance of Suck My Kiss.

“And for all of you who support Obama and think the world is going to be a better place – do the fucking math,” rants Vince Patterman somewhere in the middle of his set. A few liberal-minded Boulder-ites head to the door after that one.

Why is Gription the most rock and roll band you’ll ever hear? Because they could give two shits if you agree with them on anything. They are the industrious band who constantly work to make their own lives better. This is the kind of band you want to write a biography about, to let loose to. They have an energy and a spirit that they unleash on the stage which this writer has not seen in many years. Especially since I’ve moved to Denver.

Not to say anything bad about Denver. It’s just refreshing is all.

But, overall, I would say Vince is right. I’m not saying we should all have voted for McCain, but being in a room for ten minutes with a band like Gription makes you question yourself on whether or not you’re an idiot. Sure, Obama has all of these “great plans” to save the world. Ask any of his supporters, and they might tell you that they first fell in love with his captivating public speaking skills.

Know who else had great public speaking skills? Mussolini. Of course, after eight years of listening to Bush talk, anyone can sound captivating.

That is neither here nor there. Political beliefs aside, I left this show completely satisfied and totally energized to make something happen. I wasn’t sure what, exactly, it was that I was going to make happen. But it was going to be good. The show netted several grand in donations from the crowd that turned out.

That’s all for now. I highly suggest you go and take a listen to this band.