Why Your Local Scene Matters: No More Dysphoria’s Third Annual Benefit Show at Asbury Park Brewery on September 23rd, 2018.

Sunday’s are usually for rest and relaxation but that wasn’t the case at Asbury Park Brewery. This past Sunday the Brewery and Aftermath Collective housed No More Dysphoria’s third annual benefit show. No More Dysphoria (NMD) is a Montclair, NJ based non-profit organization that helps transgender and gender non-conforming people pay for major aspects of their transitions.

This is why your local scene matters: local scenes provide safe and inclusive places for all. Historically, bands who have marginalized members in them have been excluded from certain scenes but this is no longer the case. Speaking with Stacey from NMD, these spaces can be found in pockets all across New Jersey. “There’s definitely pockets that are super inclusive; like Asbury Park, Jersey City, and Montclair.” These pockets provide the inclusion that should have been there in the first place.

The benefit’s line-up included Gambo, Jane, Queen Moo, and Fire Is Motion. These bands included members who identify as queer or non-binary so playing the benefit had a special place in their hearts. Kel Gabe, the vocalist of Jane, mentioned how they “are a queer band, so it [meant] a lot” to play the benefit.

Up first was Gambo. The NJ/NY based band warmed up the crowd with their brand of fun indie punk.

GAMBO

Following Gambo was Jane. The New York City based grunge rockers led by vocalist Kel Gabe commanded the attention of all in the room between Deb Sanchez’s solos, Heidi Garton’s basslines, and April Centrone’s infectious beats.

JANE

Next up was Connecticut’s Queen Moo. Their set of self-branded “creative rock” included a drum solo that could have been straight out of the movie Whiplash.

QUEEN MOO

Closing out the night was Fire Is Motion. The Jersey based band reminded the crowd of how “emo” is supposed to sound; pencil taps, gang vocals, and honesty. Fun fact: their namesake comes from emo legends Cap’n Jazz’s “Oh Messy Life.”

FIRE IS MOTION

With the funds raised from the benefit in addition to donations, No More Dysphoria hopes to obtain safe housing for people in transition and/or those who have transitioned.

You can find more info about No More Dysphoria here.

Coverage by Daniella Heminghaus

Images may not be used, modified, or cropped without permission from Daniella Heminghaus or SoundBite Magazine. Please contact Daniella Heminghaus or SoundBite Magazine for use of photography.

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