[tonight + tomorrow in somerville] Bands For Babs @ Radio: 16 bands, 3 stages, 2 billboards, one important cause

The outpouring of support around Boston for BARBARA WALSH has been so big, they had to put it on a fucking billboard on Interstate 93. Facing both directions.

Honestly, nevermind the Allston Village bulletin boards, or the walls at various Newbury Comics, or some street pole in Jamaica Plain -- you wanna spread the good word, get the message in front of thousands of commuters. That's the approach for the two-night BANDS FOR BABS benefit at Radio in Union Square, Somerville, where roughly 16 acts come together over two stages to raise money for Walsh, a longtime supporter of the local scene, one "bad ass merch girl," and 15-year resident of Boston.

Now based in Los Angeles and working for the Planetary Group, Walsh in July suffered a AVM/stroke just as she was about to embark on an overdue vacation. Though she's making strides in her ongoing recovery, a bunch of her friends her in town have come together to show the love and chip in for her rising medical and rehabilitation costs. The shows are co-presented by Boston Band Crush and Daykamp Creative. 

"Barbara is the one friend who can tell you she thinks you look like shit, and you love her for it because you know she's saying it for your own good," says Jennifer D'Angora, who is pulling double-duty at the benefit, tonight with JENNY DEE & THE DEELINQUENTS and then tomorrow night with THE DENTS. "Everyone I know who knows Barbara has a story like this, and they're all heartwarming in their own way."

Tickets are $10 per night and all proceeds go directly to Walsh. For those who cannot attend the shows and want to donate to the cause, more information on Walsh and her situation can be found at http://www.giveforward.com/fundsforbabs.

Both Facebook event pages can be found here and here. Here's the full lineup, with flyer below...

Thursday October 11, 2012
Upstairs:
12AM - Rule
11PM - Jenny Dee and the Deelinquents
10PM - The Decals
9PM - AM Stereo
8PM - The Modifiers

Downstairs:
11:30 PM - The Charms
10:30 PM - Dave Mirabella
9:30 PM - Eric Salt & the Electric City

Friday October 12, 2012
Upstairs:
12AM - The Dents
11PM - Devil on Horseback
10PM - Watts
9PM - Gymnasium
8PM - Spin Off

Downstairs:
11:30 PM - The Dirty Truckers
10:30 PM - Reverse
9:30 PM - Dirt Mall