Camp Freddy Rocks The 9:30 Club; Benefit Concert Raises Funds For Disabled Veterans!

U STREET -- Described by Rolling Stone Contributing Editor David Wild as that rare find of a ”supergroup that’s actually super”, Camp Freddy is a Hollywood-based band that first came together “for the sole purpose of having a good time.”

Close to ten years later, the group – whose name was derived from a character in the original version of The Italian Job – now strives to pair philanthropy with fun through its performances. And the District was the beneficiary of such rockin’ largess on Thursday night, as Camp Freddy took the stage of U Street’s popular 9:30 Club, for a special concert benefiting Rivers of Recovery -- a non-profit that provides innovative recreational rehabilitation programs to veterans.

Ticketholders began pouring into the 9:30 Club at 8:00 p.m. for the show.

Rivers of Recovery Executive Director Dan Cook accepted a $70,000 check from event organizers.
As the iconic drum beat of Queen’s “We Will Rock You” reverberated throughout the two-story venue, concert-goers knew they were in for a good show. Dave Navarro (Jane’s Addiction), Matt Sorum (Guns ‘N Roses, Velvet Revolver), Billy Morrison (Billy Idol, The Cult), Chris Chaney (Jane’s Addiction, Alanis Morissette), and frontman Donovan Leitch were all there.

Camp Freddy frontman Donovan Leitch opened the show with Queen’s “We Will Rock You”.
However, not to rest on the laurels of its core members, Camp Freddy is known for inviting other rock stars to its performances, for a series of relaxed jam sessions among friends. And Thursday night’s concert was no exception, with Steve Stevens (Billy Idol, Michael Jackson, Vince Neil), Godsmack frontman Sully Erna, Skid Row’s Sebastian Bach, Scars on Broadway’s Franky Perez and, of course, Mark McGrath all rotating across the stage to the delight of the audience.

Sugar Ray’s Mark McGrath performed “Fly” for concert-goers.

Godsmack’s Sully Erna.
After the concert, a parade of tour buses took the party to POV at the W Washington, D.C. where fans were spotted mingling with the rockers over tall glasses of wine, cocktails, and even bottles of water for the health conscious.

All told, last night’s performance raised approximately $70,000 in support of rehabilitation programs for disabled veterans. Super job from a super group!

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To learn more about Rivers of Recovery or to make a donation, please visit the organization’s website.