Each year, WJCU 88.7 FM, Auburn Records, the Exchange and Iron Ingo Stührenberg outdo themselves in presenting the annual Cleveland Metal Holiday Food Drive, a fundraising event for Friends of the Cleveland Kennel and the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. Set to take place on Saturday, December 5, at the Beachland Ballroom and Tavern, this year's event features headliner Black Death Resurrected as well as local metal acts such as Bound by Fate, Deadiron, Embalmer, F.Y.P.M., the Great Iron Snake, Olathia, Solipsist, Sparrowmilk, Strong Arm Tactics, Vandallus and Vatican. The burlesque troupe Red Hot Heathens, the School of Rock and Playboy model Daniella Dior will all make appearances as well.
"We have an all-star lineup assembled for this show," says event organizer Bill Peters (WJCU/Auburn Records) in a press release. "All twelve of these bands are local headliners in their own right. We're very excited to have several new additions on board too. Cleveland metal legends Black Death Resurrected will close out the evening with a full one hour set."
Hell’s Headbangers Records & Distribution will sell music and band merch. Raffle tickets will be sold as well. Doors open at 4 p.m., and the show starts at 5. Admission is free. Fans should bring non-perishable food items and/or cash donations. Chris Emig will serve double duty both fronting her own band OLATHIA and serving as onstage MC host for the evening.
"This event is proof to the vitality of the Cleveland music scene and to our community's spirit of brotherhood with a helping hand", says Emig. "This event, just like metal music, crosses over to many walks of life. It truly brings people together in an crazy outpouring of food and fun for the cause! We're stoked to be a part of this A-list band lineup. You can bet we're going to bring a fierce live show along with a lot of Ramen Noodles and Peanut Butter!"
As a special promotional warm-up to the Beachland event, Deadiron will perform live on WRUW's "Live From Cleveland" radio show on Thursday, December 3, from 10 to 11 p.m. The program can be heard at 91.1 FM in the Cleveland area or streamed via the Internet at wruw.org.
"We've dedicated this year's food drive to my friend Jim Konya (Nunslaughter, Schnauzer, Gravewurm)," says Peters. "Jim played drums in many local bands over the years and was an iconic figure in our underground Cleveland heavy metal scene. He passed away last October at the age of 44 after suffering two strokes. Jim was a big supporter of our food drive shows, attending all six, and helped me behind the scenes with promotion. He will be greatly missed this year but still with us in spirit. We’ll be collecting cash donations to help his family."
For those not able to attend, cash donations will be accepted online via GoFundMe for the Greater Cleveland Food Bank and Friends of the Cleveland Kennel. All money pledged online will be added to donation totals collected at the Beachland. The concert will be streamed live on YouTube by Vidz R Us at this location.
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