Cancer sucks

MUSIC

Big Jay Bastard benefit show

No one likes cancer. So, here’s the chance to give this disease a big middle finger and benefit a musician who’s not just battling melanoma but also a growing pile of hospital bills. On Friday, November 2, check out the Big Jay Bastard Fuck Cancer Benefit Show at the Blue Lamp. The show will feature Bastard’s band, the Sacramento-based U.S. Roughnecks (pictured; with Big Jay on the right), who haven’t performed since 2007. Other supporting bands include Hoods, Old Glory and the Old Firm Casuals—a three-piece street-punk band with Lars Frederiksen of yes, Rancid.

Hoods’ Mike Hood, friends with Big Jay since the mid-'90s, organized the event by rallying bands from Reno to San Francisco to help the cause.

“I love Jay, he is a great gentle giant,” Hood says. “He has many friends that love him, and like most of us, [he] lacks the money for proper insurance.”

In addition to the the music, there’ll also be donations from Icing on the Cupcake and a raffle featuring prizes, including a guitar, Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics and chances for free ink donated by various local tattoo artists.

Big Jay is currently recovering from surgery, but if he’s feeling well enough, his Roughneck bandmates say he just might join the festivities as well. 9 p.m., $10 at Blue Lamp; 1400 Alhambra Boulevard; www.bluelamp.com.