ON_THE_ROCKS

The Worcester Phoenix
Nov. 23 - 30, 2000

[On The Rocks]

One for Gerry

Showcasing Worcester's hardcord generosity

by Brian Goslow
Normally, any article about a metal band -- whether you choose to call their music hardcore, rapcore, metalcore, or just heavy metal -- focuses on the weight of the music and the
anger that fuels it. This Saturday, another side of the genre reveals itself when more than a dozen bands perform at the Cause for Hope Lung Cancer Benefit for Gerry Hicks at the Alley.
Gerry Hicks is a fan, not a musician or a promoter or a record producer. He first became friends with many local musicians as a loyal fixture in the audience at the Espresso Bar, back when some of the bands playing his benefit were coming up through the ranks. "Gerry supported the bands, and now the bands are supporting him," explains Brendan Cheever of Controlled Aggression.
Event organizer Craig Morrison, who works at the Alley in Worcester and Mars Music in Natick, has know Hicks for 16 years. "We grew up on this music and were skate punks who used to go to shows at the Espresso Bar. He just turned 25 in August and just got married two years ago."
In April, Hicks, who lives in Webster and has three children -- Justina, 7, Anthony, 5, and Bella, who will be a year old in December -- was diagnosed with a case of full-blown lung cancer. His will to live is an inspiration to Morrison. "He wasn't supposed to survive this long. He could have given up and let nature take its course -- he died once and they resuscitated him. He hasn't given up"
When Hicks was in the hospital, Morrison visited him with Seven Hill Psychos' drummer Bill Coomey. "He [Hicks] was hooked up to machines and skinny," Morrison says, "and Bill said, `He's too young for this,' and that we had to do something to help."
Worcester's music scene is known for its generous willingness to play almost any and all benefits. Bill Dumas, who works with Gangsta Bitch Barbie and Controlled Aggression, helped Morrison put this show's band list together.
"Playing benefit shows is great for everyone involved because it gives bands a chance to do something great and really make a difference in someone's life," says Matt Cole of Dr. Bewkenheimer, who'll be sharing the stage with At Will, Controlled Aggression, Subgenius, Seven Hill Psychos, Cannae, Tester, Capital Seven, Bent, Every Second, Trustfall, 7th Rail Crew, and H.O.O.D. "It also brings the music community together like no other normal show can."
For some of the bands, the Cause for Hope show is their personal way of dealing with some of their own emotional baggage of having seen loved ones suffer. "While we don't know Gerry personally, we have all dealt with friends and family who have been stricken with cancer," says Every Second guitarist Darren Lourie. "We're all too aware of the emotional and physical burdens this disease wreaks on its victims." Charlie and Tony Casella of Tester also watched a family member fight cancer. "That's just brutal," says Charlie. "The costs are unreal, so to help raise money for someone is just great to be part of."
Morrison hopes to raise $5000 with the show. He's paying to feed the bands out of his own pocket and making sure his best friend knows how much people want to help him out. "We're going to video tape it and hand out disposable cameras to his friends and develop the pictures and give them to him."
Knowing Hicks, Morrison says, he could surprise everyone and show up. "The chemotherapy has subsided the cancer, but he's open to colds. He pretty much stays secluded in his home, but he's going to try to go [to the show] -- he's the kind of guy to say, `Screw it, I'm going to go.' "
The Cause for Hope concert takes place on Saturday, November 25 from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Alley, 144 Commercial Street, Worcester. Tickets are $10. Call (508) 767-1011.

Brian Goslow can be reached at bgoslow[a]phx.com.