Hennesy Hernandez Benefit at Cafe 9

Friday, February 10, 2006

Benefit Show - Puzzle People, Fatty Ijaro, Battlecats, Danglers, Tyler Trudeau Attempt at Cafe 9 - 2/3/06

The night started out kind of ugly, but ended up pretty well.
I showed up just as the first band was finishing. I don't know what they were called, but I hated them as soon as I saw they had a saxophone player. From the one song I heard, I could tell they listen to too much Dave Matthews. (Any amount of Dave Matthews is too much.)
Next up was Puzzle People. They're two guys, guitar and drums, but my opinion is they need the rest of the band. For a duo to work, you need charisma and a really dynamic talent. Puzzle People had neither. There were a bunch of average rock songs and an overlong instrumental number that needed vocals.
After that, Fatty Ijaro and company tried to perform. They're a rap group from Bridgeport who discovered that the backing music they had burned onto a cd wouldn't play through the house sound system. Half an hour or so later, once they had located a replacement player, they put on their show. It was generic hip hop stuff. Lots of posturing, lots of throw your hands up, no original ideas. They performed over a Beatles song at one point and that got some of the more reluctant members of the audience interested. After the long wait and false starts, the performance didn't make up for the tedium.
Next up were the Battlecats. They were decked out in their classic suits. Black jacket, white shirt, power tie. With family in attendance, they were at the top of their game. Jimmy climbed on stuff and Sean's hand was bleeding. Regetfully, though, no drunken antics.
I muscled my way up front during the Battlecats' set to be in place for the Danglers. I hadn't had a chance to get pictures of them before and was eager this time. The night proved fortuitous for photography and I got some nice shots. I'll let the pictures speak to the quality of the performance. (See below for the link.)
The place kind of emptied out after that. Thankfully, the next band was the Sawtelles and I got a chance to rest. This was the second time I'd seen them and, like the first time, they very nearly put me to sleep. The songs are twice as long as they should be and one quarter as exciting. They're another guitar/percussion duo.
The Tyler Trudeau Attempt topped the night off. This was the first time I'd seen them with the new keyboard player and it seems like they're still trying to work out the dynamic. I think it has potential, but still needs work. The keyboard fills in the space left by Brian's trebly, occasionally sparse guitar work. Brian said Jimmy Jude asked him to keep his personal politics out of the show, so we didn't hear the Harry Reid song, but he did neglect to remove his anti-W button.
The show was a benefit for a sick little girl who needs respiration machines. Jimmy from the Battlecats organized it, the girl is the daughter of a co-worker. As a result, it was a mixed crowd, an odd variety of people were in attendance; family, co-workers and fans. The place was incredibly packed. I've never seen remotely that many people in there. It was tough to move. The crowd cycled around depending on the band. Some people preferred Fatty Ijaro, others were only there for the Danglers. It seemed like everyone wanted to see the Battlecats. The cover was $10 and they held a raffle and by the end of the night they took in over $5,000.
That was a long night. I left the house at 8:00 and didn't get back until 2 in the morning. I was happy to see the quality of the pictures I got. They're certainly the best I ever got at Cafe 9 and are probably my best music shots ever.

Benefit information:
Hennessy Hernandez, a student in the Head Start program in Naugatuck, just celebrated her 3rd birthday in October with her mother Jessica and father Daniel. Hennessy is an extremely bright and positive young girl who absolutely loves school. Hennessy had a normal birth and development until the age of 18 months when a post mediastinal neurogenic tumor was discovered. Hennessy underwent surgery to remove the tumor but encountered complications that have left her with complete paralysis beginning below the rib cage. Jessica and Daniel have been extremely diligent in caring for Hennessys special needs. Both are working but continue to be overwhelmed with medical costs not covered through their insurance plan, not to mention the emotional strains. They do not qualify for financial supports since they are just over the required guidelines.
On Christmas Eve, Hennessy was admitted to Yale New Haven Hospital where she was diagnosed with RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) and Pneumonia. Hennessy was discharged the evening of Monday January 9, 2006. Due to her paralysis, Hennessy needs two machines that she will have to use for the rest of her life. The first, a Cough-Assist machine will assist Hennessy in the removal of respiratory mucous build up. (Her paralysis has made it impossible for her to forcefully cough the mucous from her lungs making her prone to recurring Pneumonia). The second a Chest Vest is a machine that stimulates massage, encouraging a natural cough reflex. The cost of this machine is approximately $16,000.00. Neither of these machines are covered by their insurance. This will be increasing the already heavy financial burden on the Hernandez family by $21,000.00.
Questions on how you can help can be directed to Hennessy's mother, Jessica Hernandez, at (203) 650-7694.
If you want to donate directly to the family, send donations to
NALC c/o Hennessy Hernandez Fund
P.O Box 321055
Fairfield, CT
06825


Pictures:
http://flickr.com/photos/oldangelmidnight/sets/72057594059092036/

Bands:
http://www.myspace.com/thebattlecats
http://www.myspace.com/danglersnewhaven
http://www.myspace.com/thetylertrudeauattempt