Earth Crisis, Strife, Madball, Snapcase & More Join Forces on Colombia Benefit T-Shirt | News
Hardcore has a long history of rallying around people in need, and a new benefit spearheaded by Alex Serra is bringing several generations of the scene together to support those affected by the recent earthquake in Colombia.
Hardcore United for Colombia features Earth Crisis, Judge, Madball, Snapcase, Path of Resistance, Strife, and Trial, with all of the bands lending their names to a benefit shirt available through WAR Records. The shirts are currently up for pre-sale through September 15.
“The impetus was the earthquake in Colombia and the devastation it caused,” Serra tells No Echo. “Seeing my people struggle and my land crack and shatter awakened a very real, urgent need to help. I donated what I could and tried to lend a helping hand, but the truth is, it didn’t feel like enough.”
The Colombian hardcore lifer continues: “Nothing will feel like enough, but I started thinking about how I could turn that helplessness into something useful. And then I started thinking about hardcore—how we always talk about community, solidarity, responsibility, and taking care of each other. I thought about how incredible it would be to take that ethos and turn it into something tangible that could actually make an impact for the people who need it right now.”
Serra explains where the proceeds from the shirt sales will be going: “Choosing World Vision was very intentional. When you’re asking people to contribute their money to a cause, I think you have a responsibility to make sure that money reaches the people who need it.
“What stood out to me was that World Vision was already working in Colombia and had a presence in several of the territories affected by the earthquake, including Chocó, one of the poorest and most neglected regions in Colombia.
They already had relationships with these communities and the infrastructure and experience necessary to mobilize a humanitarian response quickly and effectively. Their response includes food, water and hygiene, emergency shelter, protection, and psychosocial support, particularly for children. That distinction matters to me greatly.”
For WAR Records founder and Strife guitarist Andrew Kline, the project continues a tradition of using hardcore as a vehicle for helping others.
“Hardcore has always been about using your platform for something bigger than yourself. Over the years we have done benefit shirts to raise money for causes that matter – from the SPLC, CHIRLA, and various anti-ICE organizations to victims of the L.A. fires and friends in our community who needed support.
Today the hardcore scene is coming together again, this time for the people affected by the recent earthquakes in Colombia. This music has given us so much. Giving back is the least we can do.”
Snapcase vocalist Daryl Taberski says the band’s involvement began when Earth Crisis guitarist Scott Crouse reached out about participating:
“We heard about Hardcore United for Colombia when Scott Crouse of Earth Crisis reached out to ask if we would participate on a benefit t-shirt to help raise money for those in Colombia impacted by the recent major earthquake. This was an easy answer for us in Snapcase: to be able to help others in need by joining along with bands that we love and respect- YES! We’re in! We feel honored to be part of a Hardcore Community that is willing to support others in times like this. Through our experience, the hardcore scene can come TOGETHER to make a difference because our scene is about “More than Music!”
Earth Crisis guitarist Scott Crouse echoed that sentiment, explaining that contributing to the fundraiser was an easy decision:
“I think when natural disasters strike, and you see people suffering and having hard times in the world, most of us think, how can I help? When Alexa contacted us about being part of a benefit to assist with the devastation Colombia suffered in the recent earthquake, and to do something as simple as offering our logo on a shirt, we were more than happy to do so. We are proud and honored to have been asked to be part of this.”
For Serra, who spearheaded Hardcore United For Colombia, the fundraiser is also an opportunity to encourage people to support relief efforts beyond purchasing the benefit shirt.
“For people who want to help beyond our collab, there are several reputable organizations doing important work on the ground. I would encourage people to look into organizations like Cruz Roja Colombiana, UNICEF, World Central Kitchen, and Direct Relief, all of which are responding to different aspects of the emergency.
“Hardcore United For Colombia is our way of contributing. But the bigger hope is that it encourages people to look beyond the shirts, to learn about what is happening, share information, donate if they can, and continue caring about these communities long after the immediate news cycle has passed.”
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The Hardcore United for Colombia shirts are available for pre-order through the WAR Records online store until September 15.
Tagged: earth crisis, snapcase, strife