By Audrey Hertel
May 28, 2019

In 2000, Gorgoroth released “Unchain My Heart,” and this year, the Norwegian metal band’s track acts as inspiration for the name of KZUM’s upcoming benefit “Unchain My Art” occurring this Saturday at 7 p.m.

For $5, attendees will be able to enter five Lincoln venues including 1867 Bar, The Zoo Bar, The Bourbon Theatre, Bodega’s Alley and Duffy’s Tavern for a night filled with art and music. Each of the venues will also have a donation box in memoriam of local tattoo artist Ryan “Pinky” Pinkerton for his daughter’s college fund.

The benefit will feature Kansas City’s Meatshank and Chicago’s First Jason as well local acts like The Tale Untold, Enigami, Verse and the Vices, Darkwood and many more.

Other than a 27-act lineup of bands and DJs, “Unchain My Art” will have live painting by Steven Cline, Ellie Edmond, Omar, Serina Sanders and Kyndra.

Jon Kruse, the host of KZUM’s “Metal Manifesto,” organized the benefit with booking agent Gabriel Musolf.

Musolf said that the booking process for “Unchain My Art” was a community effort and many local bookers helped choose artists for the benefit. This resulted in a diverse lineup filled with different genres and musical styles. According to Musolf, “Unchain My Art” is for everyone.

“The whole idea behind [the benefit] is it’s supposed to be a festival for every man that goes to a good cause,” Musolf said. “It goes to something we all support.”

He described the KZUM benefit as a chance to help an organization that provides artists with the opportunity to be seen and heard.

Musolf said attendees will be able to witness the devotion artists have for their craft at the Saturday’s benefit. “You can expect to see some of the best artists put their passion on display for you,” Musolf said.

Kruse highlighted his interest in First Jasons’ upcoming performance as Ari Lehman, the vocalist of the band and the original Jason Voorhees from “Friday the 13th.” The band brings a Voorhees cosplayer on stage during their performance. 

“It’s gonna be a lot of fun,” Kruse said.

Other than witnessing intriguing performances from the artists at the benefit, Kruse said he is looking forward to helping the Lincoln community connect with the diversity found in the local music scene.

“I’m excited to see it all come together […] and get more people involved with the local scene and realize that Lincoln has a lot of diverse styles of music available to them.”

Musolf said he hopes that the attendees will enjoy themselves at the upcoming benefit and reflected on the reward that comes with booking shows like this.

“I just want to see everybody happy and having a good time,” he said. “That’s why I started booking. That’s why I continue to book.”

Schedule:

1867 Bar
The Tale Untold 9:20 p.m. – 9:50 p.m.
Mother Girth 10:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Autumn Paradox 10:50 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Crack Mountain 11:50 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Fascinus Rex 12:50 a.m. – 1:45 a.m.

Zoo Bar
Randall Gruber 9:20 p.m. – 9:40 p.m.
Former Prodigy 9:40 p.m. – 10:10 p.m.
Verses & the Vices 10:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Peace Love & Strychnine 11:20 p.m. – 11:50 p.m.
Polyfaze 12:15 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.

Bodega’s Alley
Terragenesis 9:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Enigami 10:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Anonagon 1:00 p.m. – 11:45 p.m.
Darkwood 11:45 p.m. – 12:40 a.m.
B2B 12:40 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.

Bourbon Theatre
What Is and the Whereabouts 8:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Top Notch Defective 9:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
V.S. 9:50 p.m. – 10:20 p.m.
Meatshank 10:50pm-11:40pm (KC based)
Gorilla Spank 12:00am-12:40am

Duffy’s Tavern
Goosehound 9:00 p.m – 9:30 p.m.
First Jason 9:50 p.m. – 10:20 p.m.
Gutpunch 10:40 p.m. – 11:10 p.m.
Cuddlebone 11:40 p.m. – 12:10 a.m.
Möbius 12:30 a.m. – 1:10 a.m.

Audrey Hertel is an editorial intern with KZUM.

Metal Manifest can be heard Saturdays at Midnight until 3 a.m.