IT’S with a great sadness that I write this week’s column, yet I feel by writing it, we can all come together to help.
I’m referring to the horrific attack that took place on July 6 where rock band Madina Lake’s bassist Matthew Leone was brutally beaten up as he intervened between a couple fighting one block away from his home in Chicago.
The bassist acted as a true hero as he fought to save the woman, however Matthew ended up lying unconscious on the pavement with severe head injuries.
What is most sickening is the fact that the couple abandoned Matthew alone on the street to die as they fled.
Matthew’s twin brother, Nathan (vocalist) had to reveal to the world this heart breaking story, however, I’m very pleased to say that there is hope for Matthew as he is soon to undergo his third brain operation.
After the attack, a third of Matthew’s skull had to be removed to allow for the swelling to go down, when he awoke at times didn’t even recognise his twin.
Recently, he woke up, completely oblivious to the reason why he was in hospital, and asked if he could go home later that day. Little did he know the trauma he’d gone through.
The reason for my article this week, isn’t necessarily to raise awareness of this horrific attack, but more to highlight the miracle, almost, of how the music industry has pulled together in a tremendous effort to help pay for Matthew’s expenses – as in half a million dollars worth of expenses.
A website has been created called “Through The Pain”, a name which derives from one of their songs off the album “Attic To Eden”, where you can donate money towards his medical bills.
Not only can you directly donate your money, but you can also take part in auctions, where you bid for famous music memorabilia – just recently punk British band “My Passion” donated their signed drum cymbal for auction.
Rock legends “Smashing Pumpkins” kindly organised a benefit gig with support band “Kill Hannah” (who played Wrexham Central station back in 2008) which raised a staggering $60,000.
The “Warped Tour” (huge American pop punk/rock tour) is almost at a close, however so far over $11,000 has been donated by the festival, and over 50 items of band memorabilia is soon to go on auction.
Even people like Lady Gaga have added belongings to the auction, and this, is why I’m so proud of our music community. The fact that the whole world can pull together as one, to help someone, they may have never met, never heard of, never seen live, to me is truly inspirational.
At first, I was a little worried about writing this article, as I knew it wasn’t about any Welsh artist, yet when you come to think of it, people all over Wales are directly being effected by this tragedy.
I promise you, if you go into any high school in Wales you’ll find a good dozen Madina Lake fans, or go to Cardiff and ask any of the hundreds of fans who attended their concerts, how Matthew’s condition is affecting their lives.
Even though Chicago feels like a million miles away, Matthew’s accident has been brought very close to home. If you’d like to donate, visit www.throughthepain.org