Rockers 4 Knockers: Local musicians play with purpose

GREENVILLE, N.C. — There aren’t many of us who haven’t been changed by breast cancer.

Whether we knew someone who was diagnosed, had a friend who lost a mother or grandmother from the illness, or if we battle with the condition ourselves, breast cancer has left an impression on all of us. With researchers getting closer and closer to finding a cure, now is the time to act.

But nobody ever said you couldn’t have fun in the process.

Rockers 4 Knockers is a local campaign to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation and its efforts to eradicate breast cancer. It features two benefit concerts in Greenville on two consecutive Thursdays in September. 

The first event is a live acoustic-rock show beginning at 7 p.m. at Acasia’s Tipsy Teapot, 409 S. Evans St. Four local acts, Anna Vaughn Creech, Garett Bissonnette of Irvine, the Pierce Roth Band and The Revelation, are graciously donating their time to raise money for this cause. As a special treat, model-turned musician Ken Thompson, a former contestant on Bravo’s “Make Me A Supermodel,” will also debut his original songs from his upcoming CD at the show. This portion of the campaign gives our donors an opportunity to mingle and listen to great music in the hippest coffee shop in town — for cheap. There will be a suggested donation of $5 at the door, but more is welcome.

For those who would rather party hard for their money, Live, in Bells Fork Square, will host a second show featuring a blend of hard rock and hip-hop acts, including Jam Nation, Ronnie Run, No Proof, Big Hop with H2OKZ, Last Minute (a side project to Assembly Required) and Irvine, who recently signed to Fillament Records. This concert has something for all music fans. A $7 donation will be taken at the door.

All proceeds from these events (as well as a soon-to-be-announced online raffle) will benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation through its upcoming 3-Day Walk for A Cure. After submitting personal registration fees, participants like benefit organizer Kristin Day must raise at least $2,300 to help fund breast cancer research. To celebrate this achievement and further raise awareness of this far-reaching issue, participants will walk a 60-mile course through Washington, D.C., to further raise awareness.

THE ROCKERS:

Rockers 4 Knockers I

7 p.m. Sept. 9, Tipsy Teapot

• KEN THOMPSON was born in South Africa and traveled the world as an army Colonel’s son, but he calls Winterville home. After a years working as a model, he landed a role as cast member on Bravo’s second season of “Make Me A Supermodel.” By that time, he had also moved to Nashville to pursue music with his band Unity. His debut solo studio album, “Anticipation of the Moment,” was created with long-time producer Spike Jones. Visit www.kenthompsonmusic.com/.

• We first fell in love with acoustic folk rock singer/songwriter ANNA VAUGHN CREECH as the front woman to local band Social Experiment. Since it disbanded, she's made an even bigger name for herself as a regular at the Tipsy Teapot, performing with bands like Nick and the Babes, Gospel Years and Rebecca Todd. Visit www.myspace.com/annavaughncreech.

• GARETT BISSONNETTE is a staple in the local live music community, best known as a guitarist from Irvine — or of a favored band of yesteryear, Katharsis. But he's also known for his solo monthly openings for Brad Benson during Boli's Mug Nights, bringing a mix of soulful originals and old hits from the ’80s and ’90s. Visit www.myspace.com/gsolo.

• The PIERCE ROTH BAND likes to they have a sound of their own but are heavily influenced by ’90s rock and alternative rock of today. Pierce currently attends East Carolina University majoring in business to ensure that he has the business sense and knowledge to make it in the music industry. This past summer he teamed up with 316 Productions to begin recording his much-anticipated debut album. Visit http://pierceroth.com/Home.html or www.myspace.com/pierceroth.

• Adding some reggae flavor is THE REVELATION leadman JOSH WARREN, who has shared the stage with bands such as Heritage, Panyellow, Selah Dubb, 5th Generation, Item 9, Cinder Cat, Irvine, The SpitTones, Josh Z., Smoking Aces, David Dixon (from The Embers), Parmalee and Murphy’s Kids. Producer J. Red describes the band as "having a world-class sound.... a lyrical masterpiece." Visit www.soulmop.com.

Rockers 4 Knockers II

6 p.m. Sept. 14, Live

• Recent addition to Fillament Records and voted no. 1 local band from 99.5 listeners, IRVINE is currently working on their second studio album, all the while continuing to play venues all over the eastern region. The band headlined the latest X-Fest in Kinston and more recently opened for Days of the New in Jacksonville's Party Zone. Visit www.irvine-live.com. 

• LAST MINUTE is the latest side project from one of the longest-standing rock acts in Greenville, Assembly Required. Playing the same genre of music as their parent band, Last Minute now has a female’s touch via lead vocalist Tabitha Hill. This will be the bands debut performance. For more information on Assembly Required, visit www.myspace.com/assemblyrequired4. 

• BIG HOP has been a fixture in the local hip-hop scene for more than 10 years and recently started collaborating with former Raleigh resident H2OKZ. Together, they have held shows at downtown venues like Rehab Lounge and released their 20-track mixed tape “Celebrity Status.” Visit www.myspace.com/whoisbighop and www.myspace.com/h2okz.

• As a band for a little more than a year, NO PROOF is still building on a solid foundation. While developing their original tunes, they currently playing mostly alternative and heavy-rock cover hits. Visit http://www.facebook.com/NoProofNC.   

• RONNIE RUN is the king of self-promotion, and his hard work has gotten the Winterville rapper exposure all over the internet. Ronnie Run recently signed to Arizona-based Deka Records and will soon be releasing his upcoming album, “Soulful Rush.” Visit www.myspace.com/ronnierun252nc.

• JAM NATION is the latest conception from local musician Jay Nichols. This new band can be seen every Tuesday night at Live as the house band for Open Mic Night and will be opening the show for Rockers 4 Knockers II.

       THE KNOCKERS:

All proceeds go to the fund the Susan G. Komen Foundation via the 3-Day Walk for a Cure, a 60-mile event held in Washington, D.C. this October.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, the global leader of the breast cancer movement, has invested nearly $1.5 billion since inception in 1982. As the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists, we're working together to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk for the Cure®, and generous contributions from its partners, sponsors and fellow supporters, Susan G Komen for a Cure has become the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world.