A punk band from across the pond and a DJ specializing in covers and remixes of Ginuwine’s 1996 single “Pony” came together Saturday, June 24, at the Void to raise money for local and regional refugee resettlement programs.
A portion of all proceeds from the event — the fourth edition of the “Punks Give Back” charity concert series — went to Exodus Refugee Immigration. The Indianapolis non-profit organization has helped resettle Syrian refugees in Indianapolis since 1993, and in the last fiscal year helped resettle 947 refugees. In March, it extended those services to Bloomington.
The show started with Jacky Boy, a local indie rock band that’s played The Void before and even celebrated the release of its self-titled debut album there in 2016. Though the band had played at the venue twice this year, that didn’t appear to affect the band’s energy.
“I drank too much coffee,” drummer Steve Donovan said in between songs.
“Wasn’t that Red Bull?” an audience member shouted.
Donovan looked to the ceiling for a moment.
“Oh, yeah, you’re right!” he replied, followed by laughter.
Next on the lineup was English punk group Milky Wimpshake, featuring frontman Pete Dale alongside two younger American touring musicians.
“Tell me your philosophy, I’ll tell you my sexual history,” Dale sang during “I Wanna Be Seen in Public with You.”
In keeping with the theme of “sexual history,” Colby DeHart rounded out the night with DJ set Ponywine, in which he played a full set of back-to-back covers and remixes of Ginuwine’s “Pony.”
Literature on additional refugee aid at the concert was provided by the Bloomington Refugee Support Network.
Punks Give Back is a national non-profit organization that supports local groups through music and poetry. Last month, the organization held a fundraising concert at the Root Cellar to benefit the All Options Pregnancy Resource Center in Bloomington.
Punks Give Back sponsors one Bloomington show each month and The Void has concerts of different genres scheduled into August.
