A little goes a long way as bands like Hindershot, Spires and more come together to help a friend

This is the kind of city we live in: Last weekend, local band conglomeration Hot Congress organized a benefit at the Skylark to help friend and longtime music supporter, Erica Beegle, with some hefty vet bills. After her pup Anton spent a rather expensive day at the animal hospital, her local band friends wanted to help, and the resulting show and band swag auction was a big success, ultimately relieving Beegle of a good chunk of the debt.

Lucas Johannes of Hindershot says that he and other friends of Beegle just wanted to “give a little back to someone who is always in the front row,” going on to say that the Hot Congress collective already had a steady gig set up with the venue and decided to devote that night to a good friend’s cause.

“I know a bill like that would ruin me,” Johannes says of desire to lend a hand to someone who has been a non-stop supporter of the local music community. Amazing Twin and Spires played to a packed house, and 7-inches, CDs and T-shirts donated by Safe Boating Is No Accident, Hindershot and Bone Orchard Revival helped bring in some money, too.

Similarly, local acts the Uncertain Sea, Story & Clark and David Digioia are coming together tomorrow night, April 2, at Club 404 to benefit the family of “Junior” Brehm-Bechen, who was killed in an accident in February. This show is free, with all donations going to help his family directly.

Gift certificates and merchandise from The Thin Man and St. Mark’s coffee house will be auctioned off, and all money raised will go to help Brehm-Bechen’s three children. For more information or to donate directly, visit www.tributetojunior.com.