By Jessica Dillon
New Moon Tattoo, in conjunction with Barking Beauties and Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition, held a benefit concert Saturday, Feb. 21, to raise money and supplies for victims of domestic violence.
The event also provided information about support groups, safe sex and Narcan usage.
“We worked with individuals who are pregnant and in domestic violence relationships, and oftentimes the individuals we serve are ostracized from a lot of the services that are provided within our community. So, when we provide it, Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition is low-access care to individuals that really need it in a time when their lives are most at risk,” said Virginia Harm Reduction director Ariel Johnson. “We have our maternal health and domestic violence program.”
New Moon Tattoo owner Madison Loftis said the event was originally planned for another beneficiary.
“We wanted to go to the warming shelter. But she said, no, listen, these ladies really need this,” Loftis said, crediting Barking Beauties owner Kellie Violante for helping organize the event.
Members of the band JUND said supporting the cause was personal.
“This one was for the … for the Women’s Health and Organization, and we really wanted to show out for the community for that,” said JUND drummer Chris Reeves.
“My mother’s been with the worst people in and out of her life, and … I like to do as much as I can to help,” said JUND member Michael Patterson.
Vocalist Charles McCall said he has encountered domestic violence situations himself.
“It’s mind-blowingly crazy. Right? Because a woman is sacred. And they’re there because they love you, and they’re different, and the things you’re different at are what makes the couple whole. So, to be able to just completely destroy the sanctity of being in a relationship and take advantage of that because you’re more powerful and you’re mad. Find something else to do with your life.”
McCall said the band previously encountered a situation involving harassment at a show in Roanoke.
“It got so bad they had to stop the set. My buddy Andrew Drewry from Auditory Dysmorphia stepped in, and the situation escalated quickly. They couldn’t get the guy out of the bar.”
McCall said the man became rowdy and went after bouncers. Band members subdued him until police arrived and escorted him out.
“It all started because this guy was harassing a woman. We stopped everything for that. Ever since then, Auditory Dysmorphia has been even tighter as a group. We don’t all share the same beliefs about everything, but in that moment, we were united. We all agreed that behavior like that is unacceptable.”
Reeves said the band believes in protecting women.
“We have very important women in all of our lives, each one of us. Mothers, significant others, everything. We know the importance of women in our lives, how they help us, how they stand us up on our podium, to help us be the people that we are. Absolutely. And we have to do better to help them out in the world. And I think every one of these guys that I’m standing on stage with, I would go to bat for, that they are upstanding men that do right,” Reeves said.
The band said metal music culture often centers on community protection.
“I mean, you’ve seen men and women in that venue tonight, dancing around, having a great time. And we’re here to protect the women,” Reeves said.
“We don’t need to be gaslighting people and all that stuff, too. Trying to outsmart them or trying to, like, you know, it’s so many, so many different things,” McCall said.
“Emotionally, financially, all of that other stuff. And all of that needs to stop,” Reeves added.
The event raised $534 and collected two full-sized totes of hygiene supplies. Johnson said the show raised about five times more money than a typical event for the same cause.
Local band JUND performs during a benefit concert supporting Virginia Harm Reduction and raising awareness about domestic violence.
