Young musicians try to feed the hungry

Vernon — A Vernon-based band hopes to lead by example. Nineteen-year-old Andrew Gallagher and his Tragic Flaw bandmate, 20-year-old Eugene Steficek have organized a Dec. 5 concert at the Vernon United Methodist Church at 7:30 p.m. to help feed the hungry and inspire others to make a difference. The band is putting on a show called “Tonight this hunger dies.” His band and others will perform. The price of admission is a can of food or other non-perishable donation. Gallagher and Steficek are both assistant youth leaders in the church where the show takes place. Gallagher says the mission is to show those in need that someone loves and cares for them and they are not alone. He also wants to demonstrate that people can make a difference. That’s why, he says, the bands will share the stage with the food donations so that people can visualize the difference they are making. Gallagher says the band has performed in a few benefit concerts but this is the first one it’s organized. He adds that the hard rock band has worked to make its music more universal and open to other people and ideas. “We’re hoping that people not only like our music but like more of what we’re trying to do and what we say. We love performing and try to do it to the best of our ability.” The idea, he says is “to capture people to better themselves and come together as a single humanity.” Tragic Flaw will take the stage with other bands including Catch Me if You Can and Freshman Sunday; both play punk rock. The event is being promoted with flyers and on the band’s Facebook, Twitter and Myspace accounts. Gallagher says the plan is to make it a regular event to help as many people as possible and eventually expand to other causes like helping the homeless and giving away blankets. All of the food will later be deposited at the church’s food bank where Gallagher says it will go straight to the people who really need it.