News | Concerts | Events
We are also flattered and gratified when supporters conduct their own fundraisers for us, and will post news about these events on our website and/or myspace site.
We believe that charity need not involve soggy hankies or rubber chicken dinners and are known industry-wide for our unique, nontraditional approach to special events and fundraisers. Sweet Relief hosts concerts, parties, auctions and other events throughout the year. We've earned a reputation for putting a twist on tired old fashioned can-rattling. Most importantly, we are cautious about keeping our costs to an absolute minimum so the funds that are raised go directly to the musicians who need our help. CONCERTS
Benefit concerts are the lifeblood of Sweet Relief. We encourage musicians and club owners around the country to pitch in and help. Join artists Patti Smith, Beck, Everclear, Michelle Shocked, Frank Black, Maria McKee, Sparklehorse, Aimee Mann, and many local luminaries who have generously donated their time and talent to the cause.
2004
TORTOISE headlines benefit concert in CHICAGO!
Chicago faves Tortoise, The Eternals, and Hypnotic put on one heck of a rock show at the Abbey Pub in Chicago. Big thanks to everyone who helped to make this happen including the bands, retailers, and of course the ever-wonderful Sarah Dandelles. For more information please visit www.pop-tart.com.
More Good Friends; More Great Benefits - Los Angeles JT Productions and Crooked Halo Entertainment. Presented an acoustic benefit concert and silent auction at Molly Malone’s Featured were: Jay Nash, Mare Winningham, Amy Jo Johnson, Bird, Quincy, Garrison Starr, Gabriel Mann, Josh Kelley, Joe Firstman, and Tony Lucca.
Friends with Badass Benefits
As part of our tenth anniversary celebration and the badass benefits series (in collaboration again with Music for Charity Productions), Sweet Relief made its Nashville debut on August 25th for a four night celebration of our motto: Music Heals.
Night One was hosted by beloved radio personality Billy Block
Featuring: Jamie O'Neal, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Jeffrey Steele, David Ball, Joy Lynn White, James Otto, Christy Sutherland.
Night Two was hosted by Local mover and shaker and manager Kim Webber
Featuring: Josh Rouse, Victoria Williams/Mark Olson, Julie Miller, Jason White, Will Kimbrough, Tommy Womack, Last Train Home, Jeff Black and more
Starwood Amphitheater
John Mayer's concert included a donation from every ticket to Sweet Relief.
Perfect timing for a perfectly compassionate artist!
Country Music Hall of Fame
Industry mixer to stimulate ideas on musicians health care reform.
Hosted by Dave Marsh and Lee Ballinger (Rock & Rap Confidential); Music for Charity Productions, and Sweet Relief. EVENTS
Tom Freund's 'Sweet Affection' for Sweet Relief
"Sweet Affection" is the title and lead off track on Tom Freund's 4th album. Half of the proceeds of this recording go to Sweet Relief! To learn more, please visit www.tomfreund.com.
Medicine Ball
In 1999 Sweet Relief inaugurated the Medicine Ball as an annual fundraiser honoring the people who've helped make Sweet Relief's world (and the worlds of the musicians we help) a better place. The Medicine Ball usually includes dinner, an awards ceremony, and entertainment - which in the past has featured daring feats by contortionists, fire dancers, and plate spinners as well as incredible musical performances by Beck, Patti Smith, and our very own Victoria Williams. In 2003 our CandyLand themed Medicine Ball honored Fred Davis and Steve Rifkind for their advocacy on behalf of artists and achievements in the industry. Both Fred and Steve have sweetened the lives of those they've touched.
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Raffler Amp
AX84/Doberman Music Products in Minnesota built this prototype amplifier and donated it to Sweet Relief. One lucky Texan made a year end contribution and ended up with this one-of-a-kind item from our pals at AX84!
2004
The Worst Records For The Best Cause:
Sweet Relief was amused and honored to be chosen by Diesel Clothing Co to benefit from their Bad Record Amnesty Campaign: Following their Global Bad Record Amnesty, Diesel has accumulated the biggest, baddest record collection in the world - over 3000 "classics"! Thousands of so-called music lovers flocked to Diesel stores to hand over their musical misdemeanors. Many came in search of forgiveness and the chance to make a fresh start. Others simply claimed, "it was a present". And Diesel gave the proceeds to, yes, SWEET RELIEF. And just so you can feel all smug when anyone questions your sanity, all the proceeds are going to go to SWEET RELIEF 2003
Sweet Relief Screens...
a double-feature screening of Penelope Spheeris' punk documentaries Decline of Western Civilization Part I and III at Hollywood's Egyptian Theatre. Punk heroes Alice Bag (Alice Bag Band), Keith Morris (Circle Jerks) and Lee Ving (Fear) joined us as panelists for the Q&A.; In 2000 we hosted Jeff Buckley Remembered, a premiere of the Jeff Buckley "Fall in Light," which was followed by a CD release party and reception at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.
click here 2002 Winter Games
Big fun was the name of the game at this year's Winter Games held December 8 at the Ivar Project in Hollywood. Family and friends gathered for heated rounds of bingo, twister, and the chance to stump Comedy Central's famed Music Geek.
Famed music geek, Andy Zax, mugs for the camera
Mini Golf
Summer 2002 - Tom Whalley, Chairman & CEO of Warner Brothers Records, served as Honorary Tournament Marshal for Sweet Relief's first-annual Mini Golf Tournament. Turning the typical ho-hum charity golf tournament on its head, Sweet Relief's party succeeded on all levels. It was a perfect balmy night. As the sun set in a slinky pink, guests took to the green. Competition was, well, non-existent but that didn't stop music industry leaders from finessing their shots and chili dipping their chips out on the Astroturf. Much needed funds were raised, we all had a good time, and the industry was once again reminded that their most precious resource - musicians - must be protected. It's a message we cannot emphasize enough.
X performing at the TLA 

On Thursday, May 22, X played at the Theater of the Living Arts (TLA) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. ''Wikinews'' was there for the concert.

The band stopped in Philadelphia as part of their "13 x 31 Anniversary Tour," marking the bands 31st anniversary. The performance was the first since the bands last visit on their "As the World Burns Tour" in 2006, and featured the original line-up of John Doe, Exene Cervenka, Billy Zoom, and D.J. Bonebrake.

Having not released an album of new work since 1993's hey Zeus!, the tour is an opportunity for one of punk rock's seminal bands to connect with their fans. The band played a strong set of material from their first four albums, all recorded during the years of 1980 - 1983.

No material from their last two studio albums was played, with some citing the strong preferences of guitarist Billy Zoom for the earlier work. X came on stage around 10:30 pm and played until close to midnight. Their full-throttle set started with "Your Phone's Off the Hook, But You’re Not," and didn’t slow down after that, although slowing down might be hard seeing as the set was classic punk – high energy songs full of angst and anger. This was moderated though by Doe’s on-going comments to the audience and Zoom's mugging. Exene, dressed in an oversize black dress seemed subdued and her vocals seemed quieter than usual – though her off-key harmonizing with Does’ vocals was true to the song's original recordings. During the second encore they were joined by Rachel Nagy who provided additional vocals. That encore was delayed by Zoom, who was in the audience seemingly determined to meet every woman in the audience.

While X has not produced an album of new material in 21 years, the band did visit recently as their alter-ego, The Knitters. Each of the members of the band has kept busy. Doe has released several solo albums and tours regularly and acts on television; Cervenka fronts the band, the Original Sinners, as well as spoken word performances; Zoom works as an album producer for other bands, and designs his own line of amps and guitars; while Bonebrake works with the Bonebrake Syncopators and Orchestra Superstring.

The opening act for X was the Detroit Cobras. The Cobras, fronted by singer Nagy and guitarist Mary Ramirez, provided an energetic opening for the headliners. The word for the night was fun as the members of X spent a good deal of time watching the opening act from the sides of the stage, with Zoom flirting with guitarist Ramirez and coming out on stage to wrestle with her. The Cobras returned the favor by dancing on stage during the last third of X's set.

On this tour, X has donated sets of tickets to the non-profit Sweet Relief Musicians Fund to provide assistance to all types of career musicians who are struggling to make ends meet while facing illness, disability, or age-related problems.