Now is not the time to bemoan the fact that the U.S. health care system is failing; it's ineffective and inadequate. Or that millions are uninsured, costs are forever skyrocketing, and competition and profit are undermining the traditional beliefs of medical practice. Or that it is becoming even more bureaucratic. Nope, it's not the time to squabble about the feelings of anger and alienation the program creates or address the eventual onset of financial ruin resulting from getting a boil lanced. No siree, not the time at all.
However easy it is to rant on the subject of the nation's health care sideshow, there's always more important things, namely the plight of those who badly need the care. Rogue Wave are putting on a benefit for Pat Spurgeon, their 'fro'd jack of all instruments (drums, keys, bass, guitar, autoharp, sample-master, shakey shaking things, etc.) at the end of their current tour. Spurgeon will be going under the knife to replace his one and only weakened kidney, a pricey procedure for him, his family, and his prospective donor that can't be covered scouring the nickels and dimes left on the floors of bars after shows. Joining in the goodwill and well-wishing at The Independent in San Francisco on September 30 will be various Death Cabs (Gibbard), Nada Surfers (Caws), Gusters (Miller), and Vanderslices (um, Vanderslice).
Here's the band's statement:
On September 30th, 2006, San Francisco band Rogue Wave will host a benefit concert to raise money for their drummer Pat Spurgeon, who is in desperate need of a kidney transplant.The benefit concert will feature performances by Rogue Wave, Ben Gibbard (Death Cab For Cutie), Matthew Caws (Nada Surf), Ryan Miller (Guster), John Vanderslice, and other special guests. Daniel Handler (AKA Lemony Snickett) will MC the event.
Pat was born with one kidney and it failed. He had his first transplant in 1993 which served him well until now. After 13 years, it has started to deteriorate. He has been on dialysis since April and is hoping desperately to find a donor. Some of their friends have gotten tested to see if they are a match, but Pat has yet to hear good news. Provided he finds a donor, there will be an enormous amount of costs that both pat and his donor will incur.
In a logical world, medical insurance would cover his donor's and his expenses after the procedure, but it does not; so he and his family must carry the financial burden. The expenses can be huge. We are trying to raise money for costs like: donor's travel, care, bills, lost work wages, etc., as well as pat's expenses, care, bills, etc. while he is in recovery.
If you cannot attend the show, we encourage you to donate whatever you can.
Thank you for your love and continued support,
Rogue Wave
(Zach, Pat, Gram, Evan)
Wow... Vanderslice too? He never plays live! [roll eyes] Band leader Zach Rogue told Billboard in June that there's a bunch of material written and ready to be recorded for the third Rogue Wave album. However, the band's label status is less secure. Sub Pop has handled the band's previous albums, including last year's much-loved Descended Like Vultures, but the current contract between the band and the legendary imprint is done. Whatever the status of Rogue Wave's next album and label situation, Spurgeon's forthcoming operation is occupying everyone's thoughts in the here and now. So... donate! Setbacks are setbacks, but failures are failures, people! Here's the rest of Rogue Wave's upcoming live dates:
09.21.06 - Dallas, TX - The Cavern *
09.22.06 - Austin, TX - The Parish *
09.25.06 - Scottsdale, AZ - Martini Ranch *
09.26.06 - Solano Beach, CA - The Belly Up *
09.27.06 - Costa Mesa, CA - Detroit Bar *
09.28.06 - Los Angeles, CA - The Vanguard *
09.29.06 - Santa Cruz, CA - The Attic *
09.30.06 - Mountain View, CA - Shoreline Amphitheater #
09.30.06 - San Francisco, CA - The Independent $
* Jason Collett & Foreign Born
# Download Festival 2006
$ Ben Gibbard, Matthew Caws, Ryan Miller, John Vanderslice, etc.
