The Rebel Set

When cells in a part of the body start to grow out of control, they grow and form new, irregular cells.  These cells can also grow onto other tissues.  There is DNA in every cell and it directs all the cell’s actions. In a normal cell, when DNA gets damaged the cell either repairs the damage or the cell dies. In the irregular cells, the damaged DNA is not repaired, and the cell doesn’t die like it should. Instead, the cell goes on making new cells that the body doesn’t need. These cells all have the same abnormal DNA as the first cell does.  This is what is considered cancer.  The American Cancer Society also has released these staggering facts:

• About 1,660,290 new cancer cases are expected to be diagnosed in 2013.
• The National Cancer Institute estimates that approximately 13.7 million Americans with a history of cancer were alive on January 1, 2012.
• 580,350 Americans are expected to die of cancer this year, with almost 1,600 people per day.

Cancer is a crippling disease.  It’s a disease that has affected most of us in a many ways.  Friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, and many others.  Luckily many cancer researchers and organizations like Livestrong continue to work day and night, looking to help eliminate the deadly illness.  Lead singer of the local band The Rebel Set, Tom Gilliam, is also on the crusade to defeat cancer.  And he has a team behind him along the way.

Gilliam is the Online Chairman and also does publicity for his team in the group Relay For Life of Greene County.  This Saturday night at Blind Bob’s Bar in the Oregon District, Gilliam’s band, along with bands Sam at Eleven and Mavis Pearly will taking part in the Kick Cancer’s Ass Benefit Show.  Last year’s show raised $1057, which helped with cancer research, helped patients get to their treatments, etc.  This year the proceeds will go to help enroll people into CPS-3, a long-term study that will help researchers better identify the lifestyle, environmental, and genetic factors that cause or prevent cancer. And you can be a part of this historic research effort by enrolling and encouraging others to enroll.

For those who still haven’t had the pleasure of seeing Gilliam and his merry group, this Saturday will be one of the best nights to see them.  The band got their start in early 2006.  Gilliam and his dear friend Gavin Spencer (vocals/bass/harmonica/accordion) realized that after years of playing in numerous bands that they needed to join together and develop their own group.  They enlisted Jason Johantges (rhythm guitar), Adam Kempf (drums/trumpet) and Ken Hall (keyboards/trombone).

In September of 2007, the band released their first album Ghost Town Silence.  The engineer/producer Patrick Himes helped the band record the album.  Ghost Town Silence offers listeners a look at how the band’s live shows go-a raucous, loose vibe with a strong emphasis on guitar play; with the lyrics talk speak about life in the Midwest.  Almost a hybrid of rockabilly and roots.  The follow-up to the group’s 2007 debut, Across The Relentless Sea was released in 2009.  With Steve Falearos producing the album from Babblefish Recording Studios in Franklin, Across The Relentless Sea shows the band going into a different direction.  The band brought in additional instruments, including organs and horns.  The band also had overdubs that added more kick to the band’s sound.  Listening to both albums, you notice that band’s influences.  “We are heavily influenced by The Black Crowes and Rolling Stones”, Gilliam says.  “Those bands have always been favorites of ours.”  The Rebel Set is now in the starting stages of a follow-up to Across The Relentless Sea.  However, due to scheduling conflicts and growing families, the band hasn’t been able to have the time to really the ball rolling like they want.  “It’s frustrating for sure”, Gilliam mentions.  “However, family comes first.  We will get in the studio soon.  I’m ready.”

This year will be the second outing for the Kick Cancer’s Ass Benefit show.  With the success of the show that was held last year, Gilliam realized that it was a no-brainer to set up again.  “We noticed how well the show went last year, and the amount that we raised.  So we know that having the show again had to happen.  We get to play live and raise some money.  It’s a win-win for everybody”.

As stated earlier, Sam at Eleven will also be taking the stage at Blind Bob’s during the benefit show.  Sam at Eleven is comprised of lead singer and guitarist Jeff Rudolf, bassist Adam Bryant, and drummer Brad Gilbert.  The band, who got their name from the classic 80s show ‘Cheers’, released their album The Year We Won in 2011, and now are currently working on the follow-up.  Sam at Eleven offers catchy hooks to their songs, with punk-infused riffs.  They have imprinted their name in the lists of top bands to check out when they perform.  The energy is electrifying and frenetic.  The band has some of the catchiest choruses to their songs.  You will catch yourself singing parts of the bands songs days after their show.  “They are so supportive of us and I am excited to have them back for another year”, Gilliam says about the band.  The other band, Mavis Pearly will be bringing their unique blend of all different genres.  From rock to alternative to party music to some originals, Mavis Pearly are sure to give the people at the tavern just another reason to sit back, relax, and have a good night.

To most, the Kick Cancer’s Ass Benefit Show is nothing more than a fantastic evening with great live music lined up.  To the people that are going to be inheritors of the proceeds that will be come from the show will give them more than we could ever imagine-a chance to beat a disease that some don’t get a chance to.  The evening is truly for a great cause, and it will be another night that will undoubtedly show people that the folks in Dayton care about their neighbors.  The show starts at 10.  Cover charge is $5.  Come out and help kick cancer’s ass once and for all…