Denver musicians raise $27.27 to $177.44 to help Kathy Taylor with property taxes

Denver music fans can purchase tickets ranging from $27.27 to $177.44 for a benefit concert taking place tonight at the Oriental Theater. The event, titled Stand Together Denver, features a lineup of three prominent bands from the late 1990s Denver music scene. The primary goal of the night is to assist Kathy Taylor, a longtime supporter of local artists, who is facing financial strain from rising property taxes on her home.

King Rat, Nasty's Nightmare, and The Hippie Werewolves will share the stage for the first time in years. King Rat, led by Luke Schmaltz, continues to be an active presence in the Denver music community. Schmaltz is also marking the release of a new edition of his novel, Belcher: Overserved Underdog, which features artwork by John Mazzuco of the Limbs. The band has maintained its activity for three decades despite the closure of many venues.

Nasty's Nightmare will make its return to the stage, fronted by Greg Stone. Stone is a veteran of the Denver music scene who previously led the band Horse. He is also widely recognized as Uncle Nasty, a radio personality who has worked at stations including KBPI and 103.5 the Fox for the past 30 years. The reunion marks a key moment for Stone and his former bandmates to reconnect with local audiences.

The Hippie Werewolves will also perform, bringing their hybrid rap-rock style to the venue. The band is known for blending metal and rap elements, a style they developed before similar sounds became mainstream in the national market. Chris Chamberlayne, the frontman of Grind Cat Grind, will serve as the emcee for the evening. Chamberlayne is also known for his previous work with the band Dogs of Pleasure.

The bands issued a statement describing Taylor as a central figure in the Denver music community. They noted that she has housed, fed, and cared for artists for decades, comparing her dedication to that of a matriarch. The statement emphasized that her support for fledgling and established musicians has been selfless and without expectation of recognition. The event seeks to provide financial relief for Taylor as she works to keep up with her property tax obligations.

The Oriental Theater hosts the event on Friday, Nov. 6, bringing together musicians who were active during the same era. The lineup includes artists who played at now-defunct venues such as The Broadway, Cricket on the Hill, the Skyline Cafe, and the Wreck Room. The concert allows current residents to hear these bands in a setting that reflects the history of the local music scene from the Clinton era.

Ticket sales are currently available online for the show. The price range covers various seating options for the audience. The event combines a benefit for Taylor with a performance by three bands that defined a specific period in Denver's musical history. The lineup represents a gathering of key figures from the late 1990s who have continued their careers in different capacities since then.