Arts & Entertainment Local Bands Stage Bernie Sanders Fundraiser Afishnseathemoon, Killer Kaya, Souvenirs, and Broken Machine Support Candidate at SOhO

Bernie Sanders supporters of Santa Barbara, unite! On Thursday, April 28, four bands will rally around the presidential candidate with a Bands for Bernie fundraiser at SOhO Restaurant & Music Club, featuring Afishnseathemoon, Killer Kaya, Souvenirs, and Broken Machine. All ticket and merchandise sales will go toward supporting the Democratic hopeful.

Event organizer and Broken Machine frontman Schyler Douglas said he felt inspired to host the fundraiser because of Sanders’s populist politics. “He stands for what I think most people want, which is a more equitable society,” he said. “I’m not a huge fan of politics, but this is the first candidate who has ever really spoken to my basic truths, and every band that’s participating feels the same way.”

“He just seems like a cut-and-dry kind of guy,” said Afishinseathemoon’s Johnny McCann. “I agree with the way he wants to get the corruption out of the election process. I feel like the whole system is bought and paid for, and he’s the guy that can fight for it.”

Though the viability of Sanders securing the Democratic nomination has been weakened following Hillary Clinton’s victory in the New York primaries last week, Douglas feels the fundraiser is still important for keeping the momentum alive. “Just because we lost New York doesn’t mean we have to give up now. We got to keep up bringing awareness to what’s going on in regard to voter suppression and to push our government to work for the people instead of the fucking corporations,” he said.

The fundraiser comes just before Broken Machine releases its first album in its five-year career, which featured help from area musical legends such as Snot’s Mikey Doling and Ugly Kid Joe’s Dave Fortman. Hidden City Studios founder Elliott Lanam was also a huge help in creating the album, Douglas said.

In addition, Afishnseathemoon will release a new album this summer. McCann encourages Sanders supporters to come out even if they feel disheartened. “Besides the music, just come out to SOhO and meet some Bernie supporters and get everybody on the same page. Don’t be discouraged by anything the media says or doesn’t say,” he said.

Bands for Bernie featuring Afishnseathemoon, Killer Kaya, Souvenirs, and Broken Machine will play at SOhO (1221 State St.) at 8:30 p.m. For tickets and more information, visit sohosb.com.

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