Longhorns and air guitars met under screaming power chords at the “From the Darkness … Light 2” show at Seattle’s El Corazon on Saturday, April 17.  What was different about this metal show?  All the proceeds went to the National Association to Protect Children (PROTECT), a national child-advocacy organization.

“What better way to give back to the kids than this way?  To stop them from getting hurt?” said B.J. Annette, the event coordinator and singer with one of the participating bands, Dying to Bleed.

This was the second year Annette hosted the show, although last year’s production caught a snag.

“The worst blizzard in Washington state history hit on the same day as my benefit show,” Annette said. “[A couple of the bands and I] were standing outside just watching it dump snow outside the club.”

This year, however, inclement weather couldn’t stop bands from as far away as Eugene, Ore., from donating their time and talents at El Corazon for PROTECT.  Mark Manning, the vocalist of the Eugene-based band, Necryptic, reflected on the organization while pacing the stage between songs.

“Sometimes I wonder if adults grow up at all, just big kids on a playground … beating up who they want to when they want to,” Manning said.  

PROTECT tries to combat child abuse through four main principles: fighting crimes against children, helping and supporting victims, holding public servants accountable and keeping communities safe.  

According to a PROTECT information brochure, the organization has helped to overturn laws that protect sexual predators in such states as North Carolina, Arkansas, California and New York.  It has also helped to garner more protections for children in Tennessee, Kansas, Virginia and Missouri.

A PROTECT representative said the outfit is always looking for new members to help the grassroots campaign.

“It's up to me to be the salesman … and get people to become members,” Annette said.  “It's $10 to become a member for a year.  And that $10 goes to help kids who really need it.”

The metal music genre often portrays an angry, intense image, but Annette wanted to combat that stereotype at the benefit.

“What I want to do with this show is unite everybody and say, ‘Let’s help some kids.  Let’s not make it about us.  Let’s put on some music for people who make money for somebody else.  Feel good about what you do,’” Annette said.

The night included a drawing for several items donated for the benefit.  Prizes included such items as a swag bag of band merchandise, an Xbox 360 and $1,000 worth of tattoo art.

Annette hooked several new members and raised nearly $1,000 for PROTECT through show tickets, merchandise sales and raffle tickets.  He plans on continuing the benefit annually, hoping it will get bigger and better.  

More information about PROTECT can be found online at www.PROTECT.org.

“Thank you to PROTECT,” Annette screamed from the stage, “for letting the metal community speak the way we do. … Metal always makes the biggest fucking noise!”

Ashleen Aguilar is a student in the University of Washington Department of Communication News Laboratory.

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