Local Bands Headline Sandy Benefit

By Joe Marvilli

Two local Queens bands are holding a charity gig at Flushing Town Hall to raise money for Sandy and raise the spirits of attendees with some rock and roll.

  Dry Clean Only and Jump for the Sails will perform at the historic building on Nov. 30, starting at 7:30 p.m. For those who would like to attend, the minimum suggested donation is $10. All of the money raised will go to New York Cares.

  For a benefit helping Sandy victims, it is very appropriate to have New York bands take center stage. Both acts are Queens-based groups that have built up a reputation for rocking performances and songs over their multi-year journeys.

  DCO is an alternative-punk band from Middle Village that started in 2005. The band’s three members are Joey Wunsch on vocals and lead guitar, Connor McClelland on bass and back-up vocals and Ronnie Bruno on the drums. Throughout their seven years together, the group has played several famous venues in the City, such as Webster Hall and the Knitting Factory. They also played with well-known artists Andrew W.K. and Hawthorne Heights. The trio is working on their new record, “$W@MP DONK3Y.”

  Jump for the Sails hail from Astoria, having formed in 2009. Self-described as “Funk Punk Groove Metal,” the band’s members include Elijah Catrone, vocals and guitar, Hiro Yamao, bass and vocals and Kentaro Moore, drums and vocals. The band recorded their first EP, titled “This Year’s Redemption,” in early 2012. To close out the year, the band is working to release their first full-length studio album.

  In order to ensure that all of the funds go towards Sandy relief, the Flushing Town Hall waived all their rental fees and Councilman Peter Koo (D-Flushing) sponsored the event by covering several of the expenses, such as those for technicians, security and a door person.

  “I like to encourage young people to get involved in the community and I always speak about the importance of helping others,” Koo said. “Therefore, when I was asked by the bands to help with the charity concert, I was more than happy to do so. I hope that the concert is a great success and they raise a lot of money for the victims of Hurricane Sandy.”

  Reach Reporter Joe Marvilli at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 125, or at jmarvilli@queenstribune.com.