gregg spence

benefit information

numerous special concerts and live theatrical events in support of the gregg spence fund took place in the summer of 1999, when Gregg first began extensive and costly treatments for his illness. this fund was established to aid both financially as well as emotionally this extremely talented and beloved veteran dayton musician in the face of his battle with cancer. donations raised have helped to offset the financial burdens incurred by Gregg and his family throughout their ordeal, and also serve to provide for such worthy charities as the American Diabetes Association and others. the following are some details on the fund raising events which have taken place...

CANAL STREET TAVERN; TOXIC REASONS REUNION SHOW - Saturday, October 2nd A very special reunion performance by the legendary punk band TOXIC REASONS, featuring for the first time in nearly twenty years the original line-up with Ed Pittman (who was instrumental in the band's renowned punk classics "War Hero" and "Independence"). The show was an amazing punk rock event, the likes of which havn't been seen around Dayton for quite some time. Special videos of this show are available from Big Beef and also include performance footage of special openers REAL LULU and KING EEL as well. A special collector's video of TOXIC REASONS, featuring both the complete footage of their historic concert, as well as cool behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage is available for $10!
VIEW a sample clip of the band's blistering pre-show rehersal version of "Drunk & Disorderly"! by clicking on the appropriate download speed for your Real Media layer. 56k | 128k | 384k. You can also see the concert intro at Canal Street Tavern, featuring legendary Dayton radio host Rev. Cool by clicking here 56k | 128k | 384k. Go to the Big Beef Order Form to purchase your copy today! For more information on Toxic Reasons, email Joel at tr7982@aol.com

GILLY'S - Friday, June 4th Included a special kick-off performance by THE MULCHMEN (with guest drummer Brian Hoeflich), along with sets by SHRUG, JOHNNY SMOKE and ROBTHEBANK. This show was a great time and highly successful. A very large crowd was treated to quite the line-up of some of Dayton's best and most diverse rock. Thank you to all who attended and helped support the bands and the Gregg fund.

1470 WEST - Friday, June 11th Included performances by REAL LULU, SWEARING AT MOTORISTS, HEIKE and THE ALTERED STATESMEN. Another successful night capped by an extremely raucous and rocked out set by Real Lulu! This show included a special guest appearance by Nick Kizirnis of THE MULCHMEN and a rather impromptu appearance by Nate Farley of GUIDED BY VOICES during the performance of Real Lulu's ever-popular crowd favorite "Chief". SEE a clip from the souvenir video of this performance with your Real Media player! Just select the appropriate file download speed 56k | 128k | 384k

CANAL STREET TAVERN - Friday, June 18th A big rock and roll blowout with performances by LET'S CRASH, NOSTROMO, THE MYSTERY ADDICTS, SUNDROP (featuring members of MINK) and BIG MARAUDER. Highlights included a guitar burning ala Hendrix by Nostromo frontman C. Wright and an appearance by Dayton's Ed Pittman, former frontman of the legendary punk band TOXIC REASONS doing a couple of old Toxic's classics. (Read C. Wright's dissertation regarding Mr. Spence and the benefit efforts)

VIDEOS AVAILABLE - Souvenir videos of these great Dayton rock events are available from us here at Big Beef. These tapes are 2 hour VHS, and feature footage of all the performances, as well as lots of behind the scenes action and personal interaction and humor.
Tapes for all four of these Dayton events are available now by mail for the proletarian price of $8 ppd. each, and $10 for the special TOXIC REASONS video (checks payable to "Big Beef Productions", P.O. Box 303 WBB, Dayton, Oh 45409. Ohio residents must add that annoying 6.5% sales tax). Proceeds from their sale go to the Gregg Spence Fund. Copies are also available in Dayton at Renaissance Music Media and Gem City Records.

GUIDED BY VOICES at BOGART'S (Cincinnati, Ohio) - Saturday, June 26th A special benefit performance for the Gregg Spence Fund. This was a fun and successful endeavor held on behalf of Gregg by his fellow Dayton musician friends in GBV, whose performance that evening also marked the beginning of their 1999 touring in support of their latest TVT release, "Do The Collapse". Also performing that evening was one of Cincinnati's premier bands THE SIMPLETONS. (Images below taken from the video document of the event produced by Big Beef. WATCH the performance of "Surgical Focus" with your Real Media player by selecting the appropriate download speed for your system 56k | 128k | 384k)

NEW NEON MOVIES - Thursday, June 24th A night of live theater, with one-act plays, monologues and improv including audience participation. Produced by "Opening Night Theatre", a live cable TV show from Dayton, Ohio, the evening's event also featured prize raffles and even a bake sale!

to order on-line your video copies of these benefit show performances, please go to the Big Beef Order Information Page

if you would like to send personal cards or letters to any of Gregg's family and/or friends, you are invited to send them via email or by post...
c/o Big Beef Records
P.O Box 303 WBB
Dayton, Ohio 45409

thank you.