Who says you have to be an angry, misanthropic motherfucker all the time when you’re in a death metal band? Especially when you can kick ass and take care of your common man like the dudes in Incantation. During their ongoing ‘Praise the Beast North American tour’, they’ve recently announced a food drive effort to help food insecure folks get the help they need.
At each of the remaining shows, the band is asking that fans bring non-perishable food donations — think canned food, dry goods, basically things that don’t go bad — at the door. There will be a donation box by the entrance where those donations can be collected.
Speaking with our friends over at Decibel Magazine, Incantation frontman John McEntee said part of the inspiration for this effort came about when an issue cropped up on tour that left Incantation without access to venue hospitality at each show. That resulted in the band not having meals for several nights.
“As a musician, I have had times when things have been tight, including the last few years, so I know how difficult it is to sometimes choose between medical bills and paying for food or housing. I understand this is the life I chose and, in fact, I’m proud of it,” says longtime frontman .
“The are others less fortunate who don’t even have the chance to afford food or shelter. So, I decided to have a food drive at the remaining shows on this tour and donate to the local food banks in the venues’ communities.”
In a Facebook reel posted yesterday, McEntee explained that this was a slapdash effort but he felt compelled to try to help local food banks at each stop. Though he admitted that they’re “just a freakin’ death metal band,” he said he wanted to help people the that need help.
“I know what it’s like, and I don’t want anybody on the face of the Earth to go through this. We have had so many people reach out with help after I made my last post about our hospitality issues, and all of us in the band appreciate all the kind gestures. The more I thought about it, the more I realized there are people in much more dire situations. We will get through our own stuff, but we need to help others. We need to give back. If you are local to these cities and can help us transport the donations, please reach out!”
So if you’re planning on catching the Belphegor, Incantation, Hate, and Narcotic Wasteland show at one of the remaining stops, be sure to bring some non-perishable foods and hygiene products/toiletries. If you’d like to attend one of the shows, check out the list of remaining dates below and get your tickets today. It’s for a good fucking cause.
02/27 Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad
02/28 Haltom City, TX @ Haltom Theater
03/01 Houston, TX @ Scout Bar
03/02 San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger
03/05 Mesa, AZ @ The Rosetta Room
03/06 San Diego, CA @ Brick by Brick
03/07 San Francisco, CA @ DNA Lounge
03/08 Roseville, CA @ Goldfield Trading Post
03/09 Los Angeles, CA @ 1720
03/10 Anaheim, CA @ The Observatory