TJ WEST: Music Benefit For LA Indie Rock Guitarist Josh Schwartz

TJ WEST: Music Benefit For LA Indie Rock Guitarist Josh Schwartz

By Kim Grant

Los Angeles musicians, friends and fans are banding together to support a fellow musician in-need, Josh Schwartz. Schwartz is a skilled guitarist who was a seminal player in coining the 90’s West Coast California indie rock sound, playing with the bands, Further, Beachwood Sparks and The Tyde among many others.

Diagnosed with ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) in February of 2011, Schwartz has decided to seek stem cell therapy that isn’t available in the U.S. and will travel to Mexico for the treatment. Both travel and treatment are costly and his family has set up a website for donations (link below). In Los Angeles, friends have organized two live music benefits to help with the medical expense.

This Saturday, July 12th there will be a trunk show and live music at the shop, Possession Vintage. From 12pm to 5pm Jemma Swatek will be showing her line Lykke Wullf and from 6pm to 11pm bands and DJs will gather in the back of the shop. Those contributing are The Neumans, Philthy Heatherns, Bryce Wayt & The Silver Wolves and Hammered Satin. DJs include; Jeff Litz, Noah Wallace and Darren Rademaker. Donations will be taken at the door. Possession Vintage is located at 5119 York Boulevard in Los Angeles, CA 90042.

On Saturday, July 19th “Schwartzarama” will take place at The Colorado Bar in Pasadena. The show starts at 9 pm and will include music from The Shore, Gwendolyn, Whispering Pines, Raw, Johnny Dynomite and an “all-star friends jam”. Minimum donation is $10 at the door and there will be raffles during the show.

The Colorado Bar is located at 2640 E. Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, CA 91107

Stem cell therapy is not a cure, but an ongoing therapy that will potentially reverse some of the physical effects of ALS and prevent further progression. If you live outside of Los Angeles or can’t make the events and would like to donate, Click here.