When you think of ways to support the National Kidney Foundation, a punk rock show probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind. That's unless you're Scott Earle, an old-school punker who happens to be on the waiting list for a new kidney. He's assembled the Second Annual National Kidney Foundation Benefit set for Saturday at Small's in Hamtramck.
Many on the Detroit music scene know Earle simply as Squirrel, a 37-year-old Roseville resident and singer in the punk band the Cavity Creeps.
He's also a diabetic and was hospitalized in 2006 for three months, enduring a heart attack, open heart surgery and kidney failure. He receives dialysis three times a week and is on the waiting list for a new kidney.
"Health-wise, it's the same thing," he says of his condition compared with last year. "You don't get better off dialysis; it artificially keeps you alive."
Saturday's show at Small's will mark his second attempt at raising money to support the National Kidney Foundation. Last year's gathering raised $1,000.
"They're helping me stay alive by helping me pay for my dialysis and medications. And that's the whole reason why I do this benefit."
On the bill are the Cavity Creeps, plus Grommet, Anti-Social Degenerates, Chrome Helmet, CL1 and Blammo! Also look for spoken word from Jimmy Doom and Lisa Vicious.
Earle also will participate in a walk at the Detroit Zoo on May 18 in support of the National Kidney Foundation.
Doors at 8 p.m. Saturday, Small's, 10339 Conant, Hamtramck. 313-873-1117. $10. For more: www.myspace.com/theecavitycreeps.
Free music, hot party
Von's in Eastern Market will host the second stop of Tour Detroit, a traveling dance party featuring three resident DJs and a special guest each month.
On tap Saturday are DJs Joe Vargas, Steven Robert, Erno the Inferno and Osborne. Other tour stops include the Trumbullplex (June 7), Upper Division Loft (July 5) and Scrummage University (Sept. 6).
Saturday's event also doubles as a CD-release for "Ghostly Swim," a free download featuring artists associated with Ghostly International, the Ann Arbor-based record label known for top-tier electronic music.
The swim part of the title comes from the Adult Swim programming block on the Cartoon Network, which frequently uses music from the Ghostly label.
Included on the disc are tracks by School of Seven Bells, Deastro, Milosh, FLYamSAM, Dark Party and more. It's available at www.adultswim.com.
Von's, 1353 Division, Detroit. Admission is $5 for 18 and older. For more: www.myspace.com/tourdetroit.
RACHEL MAY is a member of local bands Broadzilla and Novadriver. Send music news to her at rmay@freepress.com.
