{image1}Within hours of the fire at the West Allis music venue, The Rock Shop, Shop Aid was born. The Rock Shop may be physically gone, but the Milwaukee music scene has come out in full force to show that it is not forgotten.
On Sun., Jan. 25, Vnuk's Lounge in Cudahy opens its doors to host what may be one of the biggest events in Milwaukee music this year. Starting at 1p.m., 16 bands will take the stage to help ease some of the suffering of those who lost not only their business, but their homes as well.
Headed by Hobbes Caltous, front man for local band 9mm Solution, Shop Aid encourages everyone to show some support for a local legend and the venue that gave many local bands their shot on stage.
"The single fact is, the longer we wait on this, the more likely people are to forget, and we just couldn't have that ... I didn't want to unite the music scene, I just wanted to help," Caltous says.
Caltous' fondness for The Rock Shop extends beyond the stage and into the people who created it. Brian Emmett, or DJB as he is more commonly known, served as owner of the Rock Shop, and good friend to all.
"(Brian) has helped so many bands get a good shot playing at the Rock Shop. If you had a sound and a show, he'd give you a shot."
Caltous didn't think twice about organizing the benefit and within days, the response back from others that wanted to help was overwhelming. More than 40 bands asked to be on the bill, and the amount of donations has been innumerable.
"People have really helped out with donations and door prizes. There'll be a clothing drive and we're raffling off some great stuff to really show our support," Caltous says. "I'm really proud of how everyone has pulled together to get this done. So expeditiously, too ... it really just blew up."
As proof of just how reaching the Rock Shop's influence on the Milwaukee music scene, another benefit is planned for tonight at McAuliffe's Pub, 3700 Meachem Rd. in Racine (262-554-9695). Doors open at 8 p.m., and the show starts at 9. Still another benefit show is in the works in Racine next week.
The Rock Shop is proof that fire may destroy a building, but not the people who gave it meaning.
Caltous says, "I hope people will remember this as a time when the music scene got together and helped out for the same cause. It's the least we could do."
Vnuk's Lounge is located at 5036 S. Packard Ave., Cudahy, and can be reached at (414) 481-1655. For more information, see the ad OnMilwaukee.com has donated in right column of the Bars and Clubs section this week.
