Buffalo showed its support for the tsunami victims in Indonesia with a benefit concert Saturday night at the Buffalo Icon, adding to the millions of dollars in relief funds coming in from all over the world.
"I just love putting on concerts, and promoting concerts. That is the good thing about being a community: putting together a show to help causes such as this one," said Buffalo Rocks for Tsunami Relief show coordinator Jared Gressley.
The show featured eight different bands that were more than willing to donate time and energy to help Buffalo develop a unique way of donating to the cause.
"I chose some of the bigger bands that care about the charity and the causes, and I take care of them and, in return, they take care of me," said Gressley.
The list of generous bands included Queen City Knights, The Stay Lows, La Cacahouette, Standard of Living, Jinxed, Allison Pipitone, Molotov Cocktail, Inc., and Terry Sullivan.
The music was exceptional for the $10 cover charge, but the message of generosity on the part the community's youth made the greater impression.
"What we are trying to do is tell the rest of the country and world that Buffalo is a very giving city and expose the many great talents we have here in the music scene. All proceeds from the door are going to the American Red Cross," said a vivacious Gressley prior to the show's performance.
To kick off the festivities, Queen City Knights tuned up and were patient as the crowd gradually filled the venue.
"They wanted to play this show so bad that we put them on first, and then they'll be packing up and going to Fredonia to play there," said Gressley while on stage at the show's opening.
The Knights opened with an explosive set, playing songs from their old albums, as well as new songs that had yet to be titled. Their stage presence was impeccable and, under better circumstances, they could have headlined.
Rugged guitars and pulsating bass gave tsunami donors a spectacular performance from a boisterous band.
"Thank you guys for coming out and supporting such a good cause," said Knights front man Mark Henry at their set's conclusion.
The crowd was beginning to warm up, having received the first dose of music, and supporters continued to pile in the doors. Following the Queen City Knights were The Stay Lows. The slightly symphonic rock/jam band delivered a crowd-moving performance, incorporating a cellist into their quintet. The band's progressive sound made them stick out on the bill.
After a keyboard-driven set from La Cacahouette, Standard of Living took the stage, a band managed by Gressley. Band member Josh Rabenold, a UB sophomore media studies major, was happy to be playing at The Icon.
"Any show is good, but it is a lot nicer when it is for a good cause," said Rabenold.
His band put on a set of good, clean piano rock. The group has played various other charity functions with the American Diabetes Association, the Music Is Art Foundation, as well as the Food Bank of Western New York.
Next was Jinxed, from Brockport. The female trio has been playing for three years, and has a new album out, "Beyond the Obvious."
"We just wanted to help out a good cause," said drummer Jenna Rocco.
Good sentiments and rock and roll combined with a good cause helped to make the Buffalo winter feel a little warmer for one night.
