Local bands want to ‘Stop the Madness’

Following the devastating tail end of 2009 when Pierce County lost five of its law enforcement officers in the line of duty, five local bands continue to urge for peace into the new year through a raucous benefit show.

The event, called “Stop the Madness,” includes performances from Portland-based My Life in Black and White, Tacoma’s own At:1, Zook and Nothing You’d Like, and Seattle’s the Beautiful Mothers.

Hosted at Hell’s Kitchen and sponsored by Platapus Productions, Saves Clothing and Tsurumi Records, organizers hope the proceeds will help make a positive impact in the lives of the deceased officers’ grieving families, as well as continue to call attention to the events that shook the community.

“The focus isn’t so much about the money, it’s really about doing something other than feeling unsafe, scared, angry and helpless,” said Peggy Manaois Roxx of Platapus Productions. Roxx said she was fortunate enough to have a close working relationship with Sergeant Mark Renninger, one of the Lakewood four, which prompted her to reach out to her community during a time of such enormous loss.

Sgt. Renninger and officers Tina Griswold, Ronald Owens and Greg Richards were killed the morning of Nov. 29 as they prepared for their shift at a coffee shop in Parkland.

Pierce County Sheriff Deputy Kent Mundell was killed after being shot while responding to a domestic violence call in Eatonville on Dec. 21. He passed away on Dec. 28 after being removed from life support in a Seattle hospital. His partner, Sergeant Nick Hausner, was also shot in the line of duty with Mundell, but survived.

Countless local businesses and organizations have shown their support through an outpouring of fundraisers, benefit events and promotions for the families of the officers since their deaths.

Organizers of “Stop the Madness” are just one more group, representing the local punk rock music scene, who are attempting to show their gratitude and respect to the officers who lost their lives protecting the community.

“We’re sick of the violence… it’s incredibly affecting in our communities that someone would think it is okay to strike out against the people who protect us. I’ve benefited from that protection, and I want to benefit their families,” Roxx said, adding that she hopes to have an even greater impact by playing to a punk-rock audience, a population that is often anti-authority and anti-law enforcement.

“I don’t want us to forget how horrifying it is to turn on your TV and see another police officer killed. We waited a little longer to do this event just to keep it going.”

Dylan Summers, lead singer for headlining band My Life In Black and White, noted his father’s experience as a 25-year veteran officer, and the band jumped at the chance to perform for the benefit.

“Cops work with the community to protect it and I am really proud of my dad. Even if we haven’t always agreed, I respect what he does,” he said.

“This (concert) is really a way to bring two parts of a community together and get them to better understand each other: punk rockers and law enforcement.”

“Stop the Madness” is at 8 p.m. Feb. 6 at Hell’s Kitchen, 928 Pacific Ave., Tacoma. $5 minimum donation collected at the door. All proceeds will be donated to the families of Renninger, Griswold, Mundell, Owens and Richards. Must be 21 or over to attend.

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