This Marysville band rocks hard against childhood cancer

Just like Pearl Jam, the tribute band Washed In Black likes to give back with each show they perform — by raising money for Strong Against Cancer.

Named for a Pearl Jam song, the Marysville-based band is headlining Support Local Art & Music, aka SLAM, to be held June 14 and 15 at Tony V’s Garage in Everett. It’s also a fundraiser for Strong Against Cancer, a national charity that fights childhood cancer.

The charity helps fund immunotherapy research and clinical trials at Seattle Children’s Hospital. The goal is to find a cure for childhood cancer with immunotherapy — meaning without prolonged chemotherapy and radiation. Washed In Black has raised nearly $40,000 for the charity so far.

“It’s a great organization; they do groundbreaking work that is nationally renowned,” said Ben Scott, a Tony V’s employee who founded SLAM. “They’re a big player in the fight against cancer.”

Washed In Black, formed in 2015, is made up of Steve McKeever (lead vocals), Dan Nunn (bass), Kevin Hammond (drums and vocals), Dave Farrell (lead guitar) and John Trytek (rhythm guitar).

Washed In Black learned about Strong Against Cancer through Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson’s fundraising for the national charity.

“We wanted to give back in the same vein that Pearl Jam does,” said McKeever, of Lynnwood. “They’re very philanthropic, and we believe in karma; what comes around, goes around.”

“If you’re a fan of Pearl Jam or the ’90s music scene, come out and check us out, ” he added. “We deliver a true-to-form product, and I think you’ll like it.”

More than a dozen bands will take the stage at SLAM. Washed In Black caps off the two-day event at 11:30 p.m. Saturday.

Along with the music, SLAM will showcase the work of more than a dozen artists. The rotating show features five to seven artists at a time. Some of them will be demonstrating their work.

Artists highlighted in the Friday and Saturday shows are Alexander Aesthetic, Jason Grimm, Jesse Beerman, Angela Davis, Micah Glassey, Michelle Garcia, Luisana Hernandez, Alaina Love, Natasha Nelson, Cassandra Reed, Ronnel Reyes, Ruben Trujillo and Alex Vincini.

Scott established SLAM in 2007 at Jimmy Z’s, which is now Tony V’s. Initially, the event raised money for a different charity each year. Four years ago, Washed In Black’s Dan Nunn, convinced him to make the event a Strong Against Cancer fundraiser.

In addition to art and music, the event will include raffles with prizes and a kissing booth. Raffle tickets and kisses are $5.

“Kissing booths seem like a thing now,” said Natasha Nelson, the event’s arts coordinator. “They have that movie ‘The Kissing Booth’ and someone mentioned it to me. I said, ‘This is a fantastic idea.’”

Since 2016, SLAM has donated just over $8,000 to Strong Against Cancer.

“This year I’m 100% certain we’ll reach the $10,000 mark,” Scott said. “We don’t get Russell Wilson numbers, but every little bit helps.”

Sara Bruestle: sbruestle@heraldnet.com; 425-339-3046; @sarabruestle.

If you go

SLAM aka Support Local Art and Music is 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. June 14 and 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. June 15 at Tony V’s Garage, 1716 Hewitt Ave., Everett. Washed in Black, a Pearl Jam tribute band from Marysville, is the event’s headliner. The music and arts show to raise money for Strong Against Cancer is now in its fourth year. Suggested donation is $15. All ages until 9 p.m.; 21-and-over after that.

Call 425-374-3567 or go to www.facebook.com/tonyvs.garage for more information.

Music Schedule

June 14

5:30 to 6 p.m.: Left Side Of The Radio

6:15 to 6:45 p.m.: Dead Evergreen

7 to 7:30 p.m.: Black Sun Moon

7:45 to 8:15 p.m.: Aldo Nuñez

9:30 to 10:15 p.m.: Villain Plays the Victim

10:30 to 11:15 p.m.: Pride Falls

11:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.: Diamond Eyes, Deftones tribute

June 15

2 to 2:45 p.m.: HighDive LowTide

3 to 3:45 p.m.: Ghosts of the Pacific

4 to 4:45 p.m.: Descent

6 to 6:45 p.m. Disposable Zeros, Metallica tribute

7 to 7:45 p.m.: Testing Trinity

8 to 8:45 p.m.: The Finger Guns

9:30 to 10:15 p.m.: December In Red

10:30 to 11:15 p.m.: Crossing Crusades

11:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.: Washed In Black, Pearl Jam tribute