Salem High Grad Joins Friends to Rock Out for Boston Relief

Evan Kirby already had plans to get a bunch of buddies and local bands together at a friend's recording studio for the equivalent of a neighborhood garage concert.

But when the Boston Marathon was bombed on April 15, killing three people and wounding dozens more, Kirby knew the strategy for his event had to change.

Kirby, a Salem High School graduate and freshman in college, decided with two friends – Cam Pinet and Matt Tisbert – that they were no longer going to use the cover fee for food and other expenses.

"We were charging two bucks at the door before the bombing happened, then we decided that we really didn't need the money," he said.

So 80 kids and eight bands gathered at Tisbert's home in Salem, on the same weekend that a massive manhunt saw one police officer killed and another injured, one bombing suspect killed and one captured.

But as the country watched Watertown, Mass., kids in Salem came and they squeezed into the house, even spilling outside, to turn their passion into a purpose.

"I think it was cool for us to be able to take something that we love to do and put our name on (the donation check) to do something positive," said Kirby.

Between the admission charge and a large donation jug that was passed around and filled up quickly, Kirby and his friends tallied about $250 for The One Fund Boston in a single night.

His sister Alyssa, also a Salem graduate, was amazed at her brother's effort.

"He impresses me in many ways as a brother, uncle and young adult," she said. "As a recent EMT graduate, he'll be a great asset to our community for many years to come."

Of the bands that played, many were from the Derry area, which Evan said has a huge local hardcore music scene. One local band even came up from Boston.

"They were pumped to come up and make the trip," he said.

Kirby and his family are from Chelsea, Mass, just 10 minutes from Boston.

"It really hits close to home," he said. "It's crazy because you think it's literally a 40 minute drive to Boston (from Salem)."

Kirby has no specific plans to organize another concert fundraiser, but said he would love to do something again.