The Medflys 2017

The Medflys 2017
After a 30-year break, one of Monterey's most popular rock bands reunited for two thrilling shows in Monterey and Santa Cruz in 2010. They did it again five years later, but this time for a great cause that was near and dear to the hearts of each band member.
The show in September 2015 was not only to celebrate the band's 35th anniversary, but to raise funds and awareness for Savannah's Song for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the renowned pediatric treatment and research facility focused on children's catastrophic diseases.
Savannah is the daughter of Medflys' guitarist Robbie Evans who lost her battle with cancer in 2015 at the tender age of 13.
Savannah's Song was created to recognize and support St. Jude Children's Hospital for its pioneering research and treatment of children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases and to increase awareness of St. Jude and how it can benefit other families and their children, as it did for Savannah Evans.
Tragedy also struck the band two years earlier, when band co-founder, guitarist and keyboardist Dale Kurokawa's wife of 24 years, Holly, also lost her life to cancer. She was only 46.
“Cancer has impacted Robbie and I in the most horrific ways,” says Kurokawa, who now resides in Boise, Idaho. “This show was a chance to raise awareness and maybe support some of our fans and friends who may have or might be going through something as painful as the loss of a loved one. It was also a healing process for Robbie, and for I. We needed to perform to help us move on, move forward and to give in some small way to this charity by doing what we can and love to do. Play music".
The members of The Medflys were not planning on a 35th anniversary, but the two tragic losses brought them closer together and made them realize the need to celebrate the people and things they love — such as family and playing music — because life can be so short.
Thus the ball started rolling on a 35th anniversary show in Monterey, the place where the band was born, achieved its fame and where they had some of their greatest triumphs.
And the fans came out in force again, packing Planet Gemini to the rafters and raising thousands of dollars for Savannah's Song. The band was in rare form, electrifying the standing-room-only crowd and delivering tight and rousing versions of their most-popular songs, as well as a few choice covers.
The band was augmented by bassist/trumpeter Tom Ayres, who had played with the band back in the '80s, bassist/keyboardist Simon Stewart, son
of original member Alex Stewart, who plays saxophone and keyboards, and three dancers from the Carmel dance troupe "Carmel Delights".
Back in the ’80s, The Medflys were well-known for their quirky and highly entertaining shows of upbeat pop, ska and new wave rock. Fans may remember their regional FM-radio hits such the teen-angst rebellion of “Belfast”, the upbeat dance groove of “Compulsive,” the California love-in vibes of “State of Mine” and the clever, spaghetti western-inspired, “Don’t Mess With The Mayor,” a tribute Clint Eastwood’s mayoral campaign in Carmel.
The Medflys were regularly named “Best Local Band” by local radio stations and news publications during its heyday. They regularly sold outs shows from Monterey to SFO and beyond and were featured often on local and regional television, did a PSA for “Rock the Vote,” and appeared in national TV commercials.
Throughout the ’80’s, The Medflys often toured with The Tubes and had
multiple opening slots with high-profile artists such as Joan Jett, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Oingo Boingo, Huey Lewis & the News, Violent Femmes, Night Ranger, Greg Kihn and Toto.
But they might be best remembered for the song “Don't Mess With The Mayor,” which hit the airwaves just as Clint Eastwood was becoming mayor of Carmel in 1986, The “Mayor” video, which featured the band members in Old West duds, was directed by renowned Monterey documentary directory Steve Rosen and garnered local, national and international airplay. The clever and witty song even became a popular drive-time favorite at several radio stations across the U.S.
Now almost 36 years after their first gig at The Hacienda in Carmel, founding members Carl Christ on vocals, Robbie Evans on guitar, DaleKurokawa, guitar/keyboards, and saxophonist/keyboardist Alex Stewart, will be joined by veteran drummer John Brearton, long-time honorary Medfly, Tom Ayres, on keyboard and trumpet and Simon Stewart on bass guitar.
The band also wanted to acknowledge the immense contributions by past members: bassist Steve Irwin, bassist Russell Martin, bassist Scott Smith and the late Dave
Darnell, drummer and also a founding member.