Friends of recently deceased SXSW Creative Director Brent Grulke have put together a most fitting way to remember, pay honor to, thank and mourn him plus help his family: Grulkefest: A Celebration of Brent (1961-2012) at Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater on Saturday, September 8. The bill features Doctors’ Mob, Fastball, Glass Eye, The Reivers, Sixteen Deluxe, True Believers, The Wannabes, Wild Seeds and what is sure to be a number of other indeed special guests. Tickets go on sale on Monday, 8/27, at 5 PM.
The outpouring of sadness and fond memories in the wake of Gruke’s far-too-early passing on 8/13 has proven how many one man can touch, and the community expressions of sympathy and caring for his wife Kristen and son Graham exemplifies Austin’s music scene at its very best. The core of the bill spotlights the “new sincerity” era of this city’s musical history with performances by such key late-‘80s local bands (that all rock, BTW) as Doctors’ Mob, Glass Eye, The Reivers, True Believers and Wild Seeds (the date is also Wild Seed Mike Hall’s birthday). The Wannabes, Fastball and Sixteen Deluxe carried on that spirit.
Brent Grulke was a true believer in the redemptive power of rock’n’roll. The evening will offer an occasion to salute him by enjoying the music he so loved among fellow mourners. All proceeds will go to the Graham Grulke Education Fund. You can join the event’s Facebook page here and read remembrances from Brent’s SXSW associates here and also get information about making a donation to the fund.
