Three local bands stage benefit concert to help fight the violence in Darfur

A chance encounter by Dan Schiller, a business and philosophy student at Oregon State University, with a member of OSU STAND (Oregon State University Students Taking Action Now: Darfur) got Schiller thinking about what he could do to make a difference for refugees in Sudan.

"I learned that every three dollars donated ensures another citizen in the Darfur region protection," said Schiller. "I just thought this seems so simple, I wish that there was more enthusiasm for this," he said.

When Schiller was assigned a fundraising project as part of the requirements for a class taught by OSU professor Erik Larson, he and fellow business student Curtis Monette seized the opportunity to raise money to ease the suffering in Sudan's Darfur region.

"It was awesome that the cause already has a student group behind it with some momentum," said Schiller.

OSU STAND, one of many student activist groups across the country focusing on Darfur, was created because members were tired of seeing the humanitarian crisis in Darfur fly under the radar of most Americans.

In Sudan, a combination of decades of drought, desertification and overpopulation have exacerbated ethnic fighting and magnified human suffering. The Sudanese government-supported Janjaweed militia stands accused of committing major human rights violations, including mass killing, looting and systematic rape of the non-Arab population of Darfur. As a result, many of the surviving inhabitants have had to flee to refugee camps, mainly in Darfur and Chad, to seek protection and food.

Schiller and Monette, who also studies music at OSU, decided to help raise money to support refugees through one of their other passions, music. Monette, who plays lead guitar for The Badfish Band, volunteered the group's services for a benefit concert. He also invited Break As We Fall, the fresh new product of the now-defunct Sweater Club, and Eleven Eyes to join in.

"All the bands were very enthusiastic about coming," said Monette.

"You get to have fun your whole life as a musician, it's your job," added Monette. "This is a way to give something back to a good cause."

Monette said that The Badfish Band is in the midst of recording an album of original songs in the OSU recording studio and playing their 10-piece reggae and ska blends at gigs around the state.

Evan Churchill's group Break As We Fall is also working on releasing a new album.

"It's been a labor of love," said Churchill.

While Sweater Club was in existence, Break As We Fall was Churchill's solo project, but after Sweater Club folded last June, it morphed into a full-blown band with its own signature style. A new drummer, lead guitarist and keyboard player who didn't play in Sweater Club have been thrown into the mix.

"We jumped at the chance to get involved in this event," said Churchill.

Last year Churchill and bass player Alec Kretchun played at a concert sponsored by the Stanford University STAND in San Francisco and had a great experience.

"It was really great seeing so many people supporting the cause. Even just as a band we learned a lot from the speakers," he said.

"We want to open people's eyes and get them to write letters to their congressman," said Churchill.

Even those who just show up to hear the bands on Tuesday can make a difference.

"Basically you're helping save someone by listening to music," Monette said.