The WAVE3 Troubleshooter interviewed Allen Ashbaugh, the promoter of the MetalFest3 Cancer Benefit, with the result that Ashbaugh looked like a metalhead jerk – meh – and the American Cancer Society will likely send him a cease-and-desist letter with regard to using the ACS name and logo. However, one might suppose that the ACS accepted the $900 from the event Ashbaugh said he donated. The ‘scandalous’ poster for the event, put together by and to promote Bush League’s appearance, was a standard metal piece, although the TV audience saw the “Fuck Cancer” line edited. There was no indication that Ashbaugh had illegally pocketed proceeds but there was also no way of accounting for the gate, a not uncommon problem for the many benefits held around the city.

The difficulties associated with staging benefits always include arranging for a reliable and trustworthy door person or persons. Finding some who are independent of the promoter staging the event – which would help resolve the accountability issue – is even more difficult. When such benefits are held at an existing venue, such as the Phoenix Hill Tavern or Headliners, the venue sometimes provides a door person, but requires payment for same. One-off benefits, promoted by groups of individuals, usually don’t think about paying someone to tend to the door, relying instead on friends or someone with the group doing the promoting. There could be a lesson here.