It’s nearly time again for Flight to Mars, Mike McCready’s killer UFO tribute band, to touch down at Seattle’s Showbox at the Market. The ’80s-metal act, McCready’s vehicle to raise awareness and funds for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, has rocked the city at least one a year since 2003—and this year, the shred-fest’s stakes will be raised: Duff McKagan’s Loaded is also on the Saturday, May 2 bill.
Haven’t heard of Flight to Mars? (Sad for you.) Think of your favorite old cheese-rock band—yes, you have one—then add better musicians (North Twin guitarist Tim DiJulio, bassist Gary Westlake, and drummer Kelly Van Camp) and an almost scarily authentic ’80s frontman (Paul Passereli). Check out this video of “How Many More Times” for a taste of the band’s incredible raw energy.
Loaded, featuring former Fastbacks and Guns N’ Roses member Duff McKagan on bass and vocals, “formed some 10 years ago, [but] the number of live gigs that they have played does not reflect its age … until now.” The band’s second album, Sick, will be released on April 7. (Loaded will play the recently reborn Crocodile on April 9, too.) As you might expect, it rocks.
McCready, Pearl Jam’s founding lead guitarist, made public his long personal battle with Crohn’s in 2002 and wasted no time in throwing musical support behind the CCFA’s efforts to “finding the cure for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.” (I talked with him about FTM and the CCFA before last year’s show.) Funds raised from this year’s event will directly benefit the organization’s Camp Oasis, a camp for afflicted children, and Advocacy for Patients, a support service for patients suffering from chronic illnesses.
Tickets for the show are $20 (before obligatory fees), a great price for supporting a great cause. Get yours before they’re gone—this show sells out every year.
Photo: Mike McCready at a Shadow 86 benefit show in 2008, by Anna Knowlden. Courtesy of Pearl Jam’s official Flickr photostream.