Play for Blood Charity Concert

By Vanessa Formato

Two years ago, John “Caz” Caswell had a big idea: let’s make Worcester metal a little bit bloodier. And so was conceived Play for Blood.

“We put enough blood on the floor in the mosh pits already,” he said, “so why not?”

The blood, of course, is not actually going onto the floor but into the hands of the Red Cross. Play for Blood is a charity rock concert, but instead of donating money, metal-heads donate new leases on life.

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Play for Blood promo poster

“I wanted to do something to give back to the community and to give back to the scene,” Caz said. “The bands will be able to make some money while fans are doing something great for charity. Everyone wins.”

With a proof of donation slip, fans head to Tammany Hall on Halloween for the show of their lives, cost free ~ plus the chance to win big for great costumes. The first prize winners of scariest and sexiest costume will receive a cool $100 each. The concert is open to non-donators for $12 at the door of $10 through the bands. All ages are welcome from 2 PM until 7 PM, but after that you have to be at least 18.

Taking the stage this year will be What Heroes Are Made Of, Kerrigan, OutSkirts, Orange Diesel, Halos and Heretics, Kanabo, Burns From Within, This Burning World, Griffon, and Wasted Years, all local bands representing the best hardcore rock in Central MA. Kanabo, the folk/metal band Caz fronts, will play the only acoustic set of the night.

For Caz, this year’s Play for Blood will not only be fun, but the culmination of an incredible amount of work: he’s been filming a commercial and making flyers with his own money while settling all of the details for the charity concert. At the end of the day, the good he’s doing makes all the costs worthwhile.

For more information on Play for Blood, visit Wartownmusicunion.com. For more information on how to donate blood (and get the necessary proof of donation), visit Redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.