P.O.D., Alien Ant Farm, and Butterscotch are among the artists joining forces for the September 18 Never Again benefit concert in Southern California remembering 17 year-old murder victim Norma Lopez. The concert — which also features performances by Adam Lasher Band, Paloma, Cruz, The Ringleader D.J. Ace and a yet-to-be-announced special guest – runs from noon until 5pm on Saturday, September 18 at Moreno Valley College, with doors opening at 11am.
Tickets will be available for a $10 donation starting on September 3, with proceeds going to the Norma Lopez Benefit Concert Fund both to assist her family with funeral expenses and to contribute to the reward to help law enforcement find and catch her killer or killers. Norma Lopez went missing on July 15, 2010 after attending summer classes at Valley View High School and walking home via a popular neighborhood shortcut. Her body was discovered in a nearby field on July 20.
Norma’s disappearance and murder hit close to home for Alien Ant Farm, who hail from nearby Riverside. “My heart goes out to Norma, her family and friends. I have a daughter and can’t even imagine how Norma’s parents feel,” says Alien Ant Farm drummer Mike Cosgrove. “We have a lot of friends that went to Valley View High School through the years and have used that same shortcut. It’s tragic and frightening.”
Headliners P.O.D. echo that sentiment: “Our hearts go out to the Norma Lopez family. We are deeply saddened and outraged by what’s happened. When we heard about the benefit, we wanted to do our part and help.”
Gary Avila, VP of Artist Development at Tao Music Group, helped put together Never Again along with Tao Creative colleagues Nick Martinez, Dean Blagg, and Richard “Rimo” Moreno. Avila explains, “When I heard that Norma Lopez was missing and then her body was found a week later, it struck a chord in me. Being a parent, I knew that I had to do something to help prevent this from happening again. I mentioned doing a concert to my colleagues at Tao Music Group, they agreed right away, and we met with the mayor of Moreno Valley to get the ball rolling. The response from everyone, from bands to companies, has been amazing and I am so blessed to be a part of this special event.”
Norma’s sister Elizabeth Lopez says, “This concert that is being held to raise awareness and also in the remembrance of my little sister Norma Lopez brings such happiness and honor. Knowing that all the people involved in this project took the time to put all this together on such short notice and yet have never met my sister shows me how much love there really is out in this world. My family and I want to thank you all.”
Tickets for the Never Again benefit concert remembering Norma Lopez will be available beginning September 3 at the following locations, with an additional 250 tickets available at the door on the day of the show:
Moreno Valley Chamber Of Commerce
12625 Frederick St., Suite E-3, Moreno Valley, CA
(951) 697-4404
El Cajon Musical & Cellulars
25115 Sunnymead Blvd, #G1a, Moreno Valley, CA
(951) 243-1444
Sophi’s Musica Latina
25211 Sunnymead Blvd, Moreno Valley, CA
(951) 243-9312
Sound-Tech Audio Production
24300 Country Rd, Moreno Valley, CA
(951) 243-6666
Musik Plant
6930 Indiana Ave, Riverside, CA
(951) 683-7738
CJ’s Music
23898 Sunnymead Blvd, Moreno Valley, CA
(951) 242-6005
Additional details about the Never Again concert at Moreno Valley College and the search for Norma Lopez’s killer(s) can be found at www.moval.org. Moreno Valley College is located at 16130 Lasselle St., Moreno Valley, CA 92551.
Those who are unable to attend the concert but would like to assist the Norma Lopez Benefit Concert Fund can make a donation at any Wells Fargo bank location, or send donations to:
Norma Lopez Benefit Concert Fund
Wells Fargo Bank
26210 Dunbar Ct.
Moreno Valley, CA 92555
Acct: 5283769775
Rep: Diana Kacsmaryk
The Moreno Valley Police Department is asking anyone with information on the disappearance of Norma Lopez to contact the Moreno Valley hotline at (877) 242-4345, the Riverside County Dispatch Center at (951) 776-1099, or Central Homicide Investigator Merrill at (951) 955-2777.
About the artists performing at the Never Again benefit concert:
With multiple Grammy nominations and multi-platinum sales, P.O.D. draws a dedicated and diverse crowd – from mainstream metal and hard rock enthusiasts, to Latin rock fans to Christian rock devotees – with an equally diverse fusion of rock, funk, reggae, hardcore, and other influences. Their most recent release, 2008’s When Angels and Serpents Dance, marked the return of original guitarist Marcos Curiel.
http://www.payableondeath.com/
http://www.myspace.com/payableondeath
When offbeat and often outrageous humor meet a hybrid of hard rock influences and “full-blooded melodies” that are “relentlessly addictive” according to All Music Guide, the result is Alien Ant Farm. After vaulting to fame with their platinum-selling ANThology, and a #1 radio hit with their tongue-in-cheek cover of Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal,” AAF is back with its original lineup. The Riverside, CA quartet is currently writing songs for their fifth studio album.
http://www.myspace.com/alienantfarm
Butterscotch is a musical Swiss Army knife – a multi-instrument musician (including piano, flute, saxophone, bass and guitar), singer, songwriter, and even a champion beatboxer. In addition to claiming titles as both the first International World Female Beatbox Champion and the West Coast Beatbox Champion for both genders, she has performed on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Tyra Banks Show, and as a finalist on America’s Got Talent. She has collaborated with artists across the musical spectrum – from Mike Patton to jazz bass trio S.M.V. (Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller and Victor Wooten). Look for a new CD from Butterscotch in the near future.
Adam Lasher Band’s influences and lineage are both evident in the Los Angeles quartet’s soul-rock sound. Singer/guitarist Adam Lasher – whose uncle is the legendary Carlos Santana – leads the way with expressive fretwork, anchored by a tight groove and accented by timeless keyboard and organ sounds.
http://www.myspace.com/adamlasherband
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Paloma is of both Mexican and Cuban descent, and has danced professionally since the age of 10. Her self-titled debut album due out later this year draws on dance, pop, R&B and Latin influences.
http://www.myspace.com/Palomaatmyspace
L.A.-based by way of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Cruz has a soulful sound with a modern edge. After working with Grammy-winning engineer/producer Jay Baumgardner, the band signed with Baumgardner’s label and management company. The band has been working on a new release at NRG Studios in North Hollywood.
http://www.myspace.com/cruzofficial
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