Punk Rock For Charity at the Kings Rook Club

David Desin

Local rockers Odd Atrocity will take to the Kings Rook stage along with Elle Taylor, ReSinate, Real Fake Doors, and event organizers Running Backwards for two nights of loud, fast, and totally original fundraising fun, all benefiting local organization Opportunities Unlimited.

BEGINNING FRIDAY, SEPT. 15

Music Mayhem Promotions is hosting a punk rock weekend to help raise money for mental health and suicide prevention at the King's Rook Club. The two-day event is dubbed Punk Rock for Charity and features some of Erie's most socially conscious rock bands. The organizer of the fundraiser, Khristina Juarez, who also fronts the band Running Backwards, chose the nonprofit organization Opportunities Unlimited of Erie to benefit from a weekend of punk music. Juarez says that she chose this agency because "they not only help with counseling for those struggling with mental health, but also help neurodiverse individuals obtain employment and work with them day to day, to make sure they are doing well. That means a lot to me."

Jen Quirk from Mayhem Music Promotions comments, "I hope it gives awareness and lets people know that even during their darkest moments they are never alone. That there are so many that suffer and can empathize."

The two day event begins Friday Sept. 15, kicking off with local indie singer-songwriter Elle Taylor (who won the Best of Erie 2022 Best New Musician award as well as a 2023 40 Under 40 distinction), followed by the DIY post-grunge band Odd Atrocity, and punk-rockers Running Backwards (featuring Lone Sav) who will round out the evening on both nights. Saturday's lineup will feature Erie's loudest progressive punk band Re$inate, pop-punk/post-hardcore band Real Fake Doors, and an encore performance from Running Backwards.

Cy Eihwaz from the band Odd Atrocity comments, "We're a band whose songs revolve around navigating deep issues, like mental health and trauma. Most of our members have been publicly vocal about our personal experiences and struggles with mental health diagnoses. We are honored to be part of something that brings awareness and unity to those who are also struggling."

The event is taking donations for Opportunities Unlimited throughout the night, as well as donating a percentage of the ticket sales. The event is open to both members and non-members of the Kings Rook Club and you certainly don't have to be a punk to attend.

Friday, Sept. 15 and Saturday, Sept. 16 // 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. // Kings Rook Club, 1921 Peach St. // $13.50-$20 // Tickets and info: tickets.eriereader.com