One local performer has proven that he is willing to go the extra mile “” literally “” for a good cause. Point Loma resident Brian Sheerin of heavy rock group Mower will participate in the endurance portion of the 2007 Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon June 3 to raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS).
Sheerin became interested in helping out the charity at a previous day job. He said he often booked accommodations for traveling LLS race participants as a hotel sales manager and saw “how caring and giving these people were.” It was then that he decided to give back.
To prepare for the race, Sheerin is training with the LLS team.
“I am not an athlete and live the unhealthy lifestyle of a touring musician, and, in addition, I look more like a felon than an altruist,” he joked.
But for the hard rocker, there is no conflict between his music and doing good deeds. “Our music is heavy, our live shows are brutal, but I can still do something positive and so can my fans and friends,” he said. “Musicians have a responsibility to make music, drink, do drugs and have a lot of sex. But your lifestyle, title or career choices don’t make you immune to respecting others or contributing.”
Born in New York, Sheerin has lived in San Diego since 1993, quickly establishing himself in the local music community. Over the past five years, he has helped build his band, Mower, into serious contenders for the big-time, with a devoted fan base both here and abroad. Seasoned road warriors, the band has toured extensively behind its two albums: 2003’s self-titled opus and last year’s “Not for You,” including a well-received visit to Japan.
Highlights in the band’s career include opening for legendary metal band Slayer and the airing of the video for “Road Rage” on MTV’s “Headbanger’s Ball” as well as long-running TV show “The Dating Game.” Sheerin laughed at the memory, saying the band embraced promotion early on.
“Three of us went to L.A. and basically goofed on (host) Chuck Woolery for a few hours, but the entire show was a fake. It was our first glimpse through the plastic of Hollywood,” he said.
But Sheerin noted that he sees San Diego as the opposite of that experience. “Things aren’t as concentrated here as they are in other pockets of the country, but San Diego’s scene is loyal,” he said. “We’ve been able to bring people together for packed shows for a long time running.”
Mower heads out on another tour in April, with 2007 looking to be a banner year for the group, with more shows, recording, partying and surfing. “That, and we’ve got to return some library books,” he quipped.
As happy as the band is to be based locally, touring is for Sheerin a big part of the appeal of being a musician.
“The road can be a grind, but we love to travel and experience different environments and people” he said. “It wakes your brain up a bit to encounter strange dialects, foods and customs in your own country.”
For more information on Sheerin’s fund-raising efforts, visit www.active.com/donate/tntsdh/1buckwillnotbreaku.