It’s been said that listening to music can be a healing experience, which is why friends of Psydecar frontman Tim Pacheco are coming together to hold a benefit for the singer/trumpeter at Cane’s Bar & Grill, Saturday, June 14.
Recently Pacheco, a father of three, discovered he was born with only one kidney. Currently seeking a donor, the benefit will help cover medical expenses. It’s no secret that affordable health insurance is hard to come by, and even with that in place, expenses for anything needing much more than a Band-Aid can add up quickly.
If the health insurance situation has recently been likened to a crisis for the general public, for musicians and the arts crowd, whose finances can be negligible in the best of times, things passed that level some time ago. A small measure of comfort, however, can be taken from the support system that performers have for each other in times of need. If nothing else, when the chips are down, you can count on your fellow musicians to pitch in and help.
Indeed, it’s a testament to the respect Pacheco has within the community that the benefit concert will have extended hours, taking place from 4 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Performers include Agua Dulce, Superunloader, Wise Monkey, Latanya Lockett, Stranger, Roots Covenant, The Damn Dirty Apes and Give the Drummer Some. Fortunately Pacheco hasn’t been slowed down too much by his condition and will sit in with performers as well as take the stage with Psydecar.
Pacheco, a larger-than-life performer, has been a perennial presence in the local music scene since the early ’90s. A mainstay of the local jam band/reggae contingency, he has played with several groups including Sol Power, Black Market Disciples and Wise Monkey Orchestra. He’s also been in demand as a session player, notably contributing to P.O.D.’s hit version of the ’80s classic, “Eyes of a Stranger.” However, it’s with Psydecar that he has established his rep.
For the musicians involved, there’s a sense of pride in being able to help out their friends.
“(It’s great) to help a brother out, so to speak,” said Superunloader drummer Chad Farran.
“We met Tim a long, long time ago,” said Tico Hernandez of Agua Dulce. “(Several of) our members played with him in Sol Power at the Green Circle Bar (a legendary defunct downtown jazz and jam bar). Tim is our homie, so we take care of our own.”
Singer Latanya Lockett agreed. “I’m honored to be a part of this event and help Tim in any way I can. It’s tough to be an artist, especially when it comes to things like medical insurance.”
Lockett has worked with Pacheco on various projects going back over a decade and plans to jam with Pacheco during her set.
“I believe I first met Tim at Karlos Paez’s (B-side Players frontman) house while we were recording something for the Black Market Disciples CD,” she recalled. “I’m going to perform some new songs for the first time, and I’m sure Tim will join me onstage. We’re known for making up songs off the top of our head.”
Whether you attend Tim Pacheco’s benefit to help a deserving local musician in need or simply enjoy the tunes, this event promises to be the party of the week. With its beachfront location and free-flowing music, Cane’s is the ideal location for an evening sure to be full of good vibes and the communal high of people working together in a united cause.