Local band takes the stage for cystic fibrosis awareness

Caleb Workman

Converged Citizen Staff

Event held by local youth raises $8,000

A local band performed their first show at Johnny Shotz in Tecumseh on April 11.

Disaster Strike, a band with members from Windsor and Essex County, joined the Music for Life show to raise funds for cystic fibrosis. This was the band’s first show since forming and they said it was great exposure.

“We try to help as much as we can,” said Tyler Hillman, 14, the lead vocalist and guitar player. “We know that this disease is life-threatening and serious so we’re glad to do our part.”

The band consists of Hillman and his three friends Massimo Chioto on lead guitar, 13, drummer Devin Amyotte, 15, and Matt Scalzo, 16, the bassist and acoustic guitarist.

The band, who met at Long and McQuade’s Rock School, played cover songs, proving their diverse ability with ‘70s’ classics and moving their way up to the current era with a fast-paced drive and enthusiasm throughout their set.

“Our band started in rock school during the summer of last year,” said Amyotte. “It was great to help raise money for cystic fibrosis and play a gig that will help get our name out there at the same time.”

The band is hoping to set a foothold in the Windsor music scene and play more shows.

“We’re really just listening to a lot of music right now, trying to find our sound,” said Scalzo. “We want to be playing a lot more gigs but as of right now it’s on a day-to-day basis.”

The organizer of the event, Arielle Grondin, said she was extremely excited about the bands who came out and the number of people who showed their support.

“It’s an area where everybody knows everybody,” said Grondin. “As someone with cystic fibrosis it truly excited me to see so many people who want to find me and others with cystic fibrosis a cure.”

The event was hosted in partnership with Cystic Fibrosis Canada and raised $8,000. All proceeds from the event ticket sales went towards Grondin’s CARSTAR’s Great Stride Walk team.

“The money raised in the past few years has helped in such a way that the life expectancy has gone from four years old to 50.9 years,” said Grondin. “That progress is something else I really want people to get from these events.”

Grondin’s walk will be on May 31 at the Vollmer Culture and Recreation Centre in LaSalle. For more information or if you want to donate to Grondin’s cause you can visit the Great Strides Walk: Windsor online and donate to her directly.