Rocker Chick Benefit Performance By Outlash

The Texas Moon in Kermit, Texas will be hosting a Rocker Chick Benefit for Erika Berry. The event starts at 5PM with brisket plates going for $7, and a live auction of cakes, vintage items and tons of rock memorabilia. West Texas' very own heavy rock band, Outlash, will be performing starting at 9PM. The band has waived their usual fee of $500, and a cover charge of $5 will be collected. All monies from the brisket and live auction, as well as the band's fee and cover charge will be given to Erika to assist with her medical expenses. Come on out Saturday and let's raise the roof!

Outlash...West Texas' Good Time Band

Why am I so fond of this metal band? Not only do they know how to please a crowd, but their dedication to fans and friends can't be surpassed. When lead guitarist J.R. Sanchez heard of his long time friend and fan, Erika Berry, need for assistance he knew he could count on Outlash to provide some help. Within a matter of minutes, J.R. confirmed that Outlash would do a benefit performance with all proceeds going towards Erika's medical expenses.

Outlash is a new breed of West Texas metal whose name has become synonymous with precise, melodic, and catchy hard rock. They appeal to a wide and varied audience with music that is heavy enough for hardcore listeners, but still radio-friendly and accessible to the masses.

The sound can best be described as a style of groove metal with a slightly technical edge, coarse (not harsh) vocals and thick-sounding riffs, and a melodic core with head-banging beats. Lyrically and stylistically original themes dealing with everything from tattooing to emotional pain and suffering, the overall musical mood is dark and melancholy, but doesn't focus on political or religious subjects thereby avoiding pretentiousness. But it is definitely metal, and definitely engages the listener.

Formed in October of 2008, the band draws its creative force from the input of four prominent local musicians whom each bring a unique perspective and talent to the writing process. The line-up consists of vocalist and guitarist Ed Alvarado (Driveshaft and Easy to Empty), lead guitarist J.R. Sanchez (Black Tooth Grin and Easy to Empty), bassist Evan Bouten (Driveshaft and Section-8), and drummer Tony Diamond (Lotus and Red-Effect).

All members have extensive stage and studio experience, bringing their various backgrounds together to produce the powerful music of Outlash. With a vast repertoire of covers to compliment their original music (everything from Pink Floyd to Pantera), Outlash is suitable to any rock venue and is eager to entertain and engage all crowds, small or large, with their impressive stage presence and powerful sound. They have also recently recorded and released a full-length demo, Machine Precision, and have a full line of merchandise available for their fans.

band bio provided by J.R. Sanchez

Erika's Story

You just never know when there's a ticking time bomb in your head. Sounds unheard of, but that's exactly what happened to Erika Berry.

On the morning of Friday, January 29th, Erika, getting ready for work, was feeling fine, but all that drastically changed When she stepped out of the shower. Erika's condition went from the usual and ordinary to her dropped to her knees by a sharp pain behind her right eye.

Erika said, "I was also having pain in the back of my neck and could no longer move very far. I was hot and sweaty so, I laid over on the
tile to cool off."

That was all Erika managed to remember because it was at that point she lost consciousness and didn't wake up until almost 6 that afternoon.

Erika managed to stand up, grab the trash can and make her way to the
bed. She continued to slip in and out of consciousness for several hours
until her friend,Deborah, found her and rushed her to Medical Center.

Erika recounts, "I was in the ER for several hours having tests ran.
When they did the first CT, they noticed a sub arachnoid hemorrhage.
They then sent me for an angiogram where the aneurysm was very
apparent. I was finally placed in ICU around 6am Saturday morning."

Erika was flown to UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas for surgery
Sunday morning. An incision was made from the front of her left eye,
behind the hairline and down to the front of her right earlobe.
Erika's scalp was pulled back, the right jaw was dislocated and a piece
of her skull was removed to access the aneurysm.

Erika continued telling all about the surgery, "A small clamp was
placed at the aneurysm. The piece of skull was replaced and closed
with titanium plates and screws. The scalp was closed with 34 staples.
In all, I spent 10 days in the hospital in Dallas."

The doctors were so amazed with her progress that she was released
almost 5 days before her scheduled date. She continues to improve
everyday. Erika was happy to report that at her last check up
all went exceptionally well and she is not due back until April 27th.

Photo by Erika Berry