These days the “Smashing Pumpkin” (aka Billy Corgan and revolving door of randoms) make an easy target for ridicule, but any band going out of their way to help a hurting musician deserves commendation. The current incarnation of the Pumpkins do just that on July 27 at a Chicago gig to benefit Matthew Leone, bassist for local band Madina Lake. The Chicago musician suffered brain damage last month after trying to protect a woman from her abusive husband and he needs help paying his medical bills. Like many musicians, he has no insurance.
The show goes down at Chicago’s historic Metro venue, with fellow Chicagoans Kill Hannah opening. When you hear “benefit gig,” you think $200 tickets, but there’s a nice twist here. While there are some $100 and $500 slots available, the majority of the tickets will be raffled off for $10. Starting today at noon you can buy as many raffle tickets as you want at the Metro website, with all proceeds going to the Matthew Leone Fund at Sweet Relief. Anyone’s got a shot at this club gig and, even if you don’t win, your money’s in a good place.
Leone’s brother (and bandmate) Nathan posts updates on Matthew’s condition on the band’s blog. From a post made last night, it seems Matthew went into surgery at 6:30 this morning. We hope he pulls through and we hope benefits like this help him and his family pay for it when he does.
Smashing Pumpkins 2010 Tour Dates:
07/21 – Tampa, FL @ Ritz
07/23 – New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues
07/24 – Memphis, TN @ Minglewood Hall
07/26 – New York, NY @ Terminal 5
07/27 – Chicago, IL @ Metro
08/05 – Singapore, SG @ Fort Canning Park
08/07 – Tokyo, JP @ Summer Sonic
08/08 – Osaka, JP @ Summer Sonic
08/10 – Tokyo, JP @ Tokyo Studio Coast
08/11 – Tokyo, JP @ Tokyo Studio Coast
08/14 – Seoul, KR @ Chamsil Gymnasium
08/26 – Mexico City, MX @ Auditorio Nacional
08/28 – Hollywood, CA @ Sunset Strip Festival
09/18 – Denver, CO @ Comfort Dental Amphitheater (Big Gig 2010)
