RED JUMPSUIT APPARATUS TO AID TORNADO RAVAGED SCHOOL

Red Jumpsuit Apparatus talks about visiting and playing tornado ravaged Enterprise, Alabama for a benefit for a destroyed High School.

Red Jumpsuit Apparatus is taking time out of their busy schedule to play a benefit for a high school that was ravaged by a tornado. Last month the town of Enterprise, Alabama was hit with a category four tornado which totalled nine deaths and 121 injured. Eight of those who died were high school students, wo were crushed when a hallway collapsed. The benefit will take place May 3, and local bands will open the $16 a ticket bill.

Red Jumpsuit Apparatus has been there for victims of Hurricane Katrina and have also been supporters of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and recently spoke at getting teens the proper mental health treatment to prevent suicide. In an interview conducted a few months ago, Ronnie Winter, lead vocalist for Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, talked about how helping with Katrina shaped their socially pro-active stance.

“It was a hurricane Katrina benefit show and we were contacted by the promoter and they were like, ‘Shinedown’s coming in.’ And this was at a time when they had a Number 1 hit single on the radio. Their video was blowing up, and they were taking over the world, and they took the time to come and play a total benefit show in Jacksonville for hurricane Katrina victims and we were fortunate to be added to the bill, and we were the only two bands that played. We were kind of the hometown heroes, and they were the huge band blowing up with hometown members. So it was cool. It was like two bands got together, both were doing well, and we were helping somebody out. I think that was the first taste of just seeing that we we could actually make a little bit of a difference in another way, other than just lyrically connecting with fans on a personal level.”

Tickets for the Enteprise High School releif effort $14.00 for a group of 30 or more, $16 in advance, and $20 at the gate. The band is also creating a limited edition T-shirt specifically for the event, to raise additional funds. The high school has a special affinity for the band as their prom song was “Your Guardian Angel.” Information for those interested in mailing in or sending relief funds can be found at wkmx.com.