"Straylight Run, Armor For Sleep, and Nightmare of You will play the second "Hold On To Your Friends" cancer benefit concert on Saturday, August 14 at Irving Plaza. Proceeds from the event will be used to pay the final expenses of the late musician Sean McGrath, who died on June 11, 2004, after an extended battle with intestinal cancer."
Sean McGrath was a veteran of New Jersey's hardcore scene, having served in the ranks of Saves the Day, Hands Tied, and Mouthpiece. Two years ago, exploratory surgery on the then-26 year-old revealed the unthinkable: advanced cancer throughout his digestive tract. Sean immediately began what would become two years of expensive treatments, and was the beneficiary of the sold-out inaugural "Hold On To Your Friends" event in June 2002, featuring Thursday, Midtown, Taking Back Sunday, The Movielife, and Sean's own band, The Alps.
Sean was dedicated to fighting cancer on a large scale and his friends and family are determined to continue raising money in Sean's name. Once his medical and final expenses are settled, they plan to create a registered non-profit cancer foundation bearing his name. Any extra proceeds from this and future events will be distributed to worthy cancer-related charities through The Sean McGrath Fund.
Tickets for the August 14 "Hold On To Your Friends" benefit are $25 and are available through the Irving Plaza Box Office or Ticketmaster.