God’s Outlaw Plans Benefit Show to Aid Homeless Veterans
The band will lead a rebel country lineup, collecting winter essentials and donations.
Benefit concert poster. Photo courtesy of God’s Outlaw.
Since its formation in 2002, God’s Outlaw has been Milwaukee’s go-to rebel outlaw country music band. Big Smith’s vocals, E-Man’s guitar, Smokie’s drums and Sawboss’s upright bass are well-known for both their original songs and tributes to country renegades like Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Hank Williams.
While those are not the band members’ real names, their commitment to a cause is. On Saturday, Nov. 14, God’s Outlaw will host a benefit show for the Wisconsin Homeless Veterans Initiative (WHVI) at Club Garibaldi in Bay View.
The concert includes a supply drive, where concertgoers are encouraged to donate wintertime essentials for homeless veterans, including new socks, gloves, knit hats, hand warmers, thermal underwear and toiletries. Food items such as beef jerky and protein bars and $10 to $25 grocery store gift cards are also accepted.
The night will feature covers and original songs alike. Big Smith, whose real name is Brian Smith, and Sawboss, whose real name is Jason Kloss, will start the concert with solo sets. Matt “MF” Tyner is planned to take the stage solo shortly after, and the concert will end with a full God’s Outlaw feature set.
“I served in the Air Force, and it’s hard knowing there are veterans in our own backyard without a warm place to sleep this winter. No veteran should be homeless, period,” Smith said in a statement.
“This band has always played songs about people who got knocked down and kept going, and a lot of our veterans are living that right now,” Kloss added. “If we can fill a room in Bay View, raise some money and send WHVI home with a pile of warm socks and gloves before winter hits, that’s a great night of country music.”
Veterans with proof of service will get in free. Otherwise, admission is $20. Attendees who bring a donation will receive $5 off their cover.
Club Garibaldi is located at 2501 S. Superior St. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the concert starts at 7 p.m.
Special guests include Leroy Deuster on pedal steel guitar, Matt Meixner on keyboard and Jeff Hamilton on guitar, banjo and mandolin.
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