Party for your health

"During this tour our drummer Jonas got a toothache and had to get it pulled in San Fran (true story). It costed him 1400 dollars. But what could he do? He was miserable and getting weird on pain killers (he got from strangers at clubs) trying to hold off the procedure. He was always kind of drunk on whiskey too, bumpin' around in stairwells and stuff. It's because he doesn't have health care. None of The Teeth have health care so as far as we know we're perfectly healthy. We can't afford checkups so we'll never know really. I could be rotting on the inside for all I know." - Aaron MoDavis, The Teeth Since I've spent the last eighteen months without health insurance, the topic of a national health plan is one that weighs heavily on my mind. It's just as central to most working musicians, who don't make enough change to afford luxuries like physicals or prescriptions. Injuries that should be easily treated go unchecked. Illnesses that could be prevented go ignored. Thankfully, it's an issue that's gaining prominence, with some progressive local governments leading the way. It's also the guiding reason behind Saturday's Brooklyn Day, a Party For Your Health raising money to bring adequate health care to all. As important as the cause is, this Shebang Productions- and We Be Illin'-sponsored event promises to be a really great party too. There'll be four bands, three DJs (Nick Catchdubs, Cool Hands Luke, Sammy Bananas), a graffiti muralist (SUE), and free cocktails and cans of PBR. Even better, though they're bands you may not have heard of, all four acts performing are pretty cool and worth hearing. From the frantic punk of The DeathSet to the quirky, performance-artsy Peelander-Z to the pop miscellania of the Teeth to the dancy genre-mash of The Boggs, there'll be something for every ear. Between the great music and the important issue, you've got no excuse to call in sick this weekend. Brooklyn Day is taking place on Saturday, August 11th at The Hook, 18 Commerce St. in Red Hook. There will be shuttles from the F stop at Carroll St. Doors open at 3 p.m. and the first band, The Death Set, goes on at 6. Tickets are $20 and available here. * MP3: "Arm In Arm" (Shy Child Mix) - The Boggs from "Arm In Arm" 12" [Buy it] * MP3: "So Long" - The Teeth from Carry The Wood EP [Buy it] * MP3: "S.T.E.A.K." - Peelander-Z from P-Bone Steak [Buy it] * MP3: "Paranoia" - The Death Set from To EP [Buy it] * MySpace: The Boggs * MySpace: The Teeth * Website: The Teeth * MySpace: Peelander-Z * Website: Peelander-Z * MySpace: The DeathSet * Website: The DeathSet * Also: Shake Your Fist on The Boggs