Bury The Heard.
Camera IconBury The Heard. Credit: Supplied/Jenny Gaunt

An Evening with Bury the Heard fundraising concert to help 25-year-old stroke victim

Tyler BrownNorth Coast Times

WHEN Michael Daines heard his former band mate’s girlfriend had suffered a stroke on Boxing Day at the age of 25, he felt like he had been “hit in the chest with a brick”.

The stroke Kirstie Spano had was caused by a previously unknown condition called Brain Arteriovenous Malformations.

Since then, she has had multiple bleeds on the brain, leaving her unable to speak and paralysed on the right side.

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Though her condition has now stabilised, it is not known what damage has been done to her brain.

She has so far undergone four angiograms with another to come and will eventually undergo brain surgery to remove the malformations.

Phil Lever and Kirstie Spano. Jayga Ringrose
Camera IconPhil Lever and Kirstie Spano. Jayga Ringrose Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Her rehabilitation is expected to take at least 24 months.

“The gravity of the moment I heard from Phil (Lever) and spoke to him about what happened just hit me,” Daines said.

“Hearing your friend cry like that on the phone and responding in the same emotional manner is a gruelling moment and every part of you wants to drop what you are doing and reach out to them.”

The Ellenbrook resident said he immediately felt an obligation to help.

“I thought about every conceivable way I could raise awareness, assistance and of course help raise financial support for them to assist with living expenses and medical costs,” he said.

“The final conclusion was the goal I have been working towards since the morning of December 28.”

Though Daines’ band Bury the Heard decided to call it quits at the end of last year, reuniting for one last time to fundraise for the couple seemed like the right path.

Bury The Heard. JV Photo and Film
Camera IconBury The Heard. JV Photo and Film Credit: Supplied/Supplied

An Evening with Bury the Heard will take place at Badlands Bar on March 1, with the progressive instrumental trio bringing together its 2016-17 line-up featuring Daines on guitar, Oliver Proslmeyr on bass and Aaron Salomon on drums.

“I would love for Phil to come back and join us but the truth is that’s not his job right now, he has to be with Kirstie,” Daines said.

“But I can’t rule out the possibility of a member from an earlier period of the band’s history making a guest appearance with us.”

The band, which takes its influences from heavy metal, rock, progressive, jazz and fusion music, will be supported by hardcore, punk and metal band Dying Degree, progressive alt rockers Skygazer and newcomers Prognosis Negative.

Daines said the feedback to the event had so far been incredible, with the support of the venue, bands, sponsors, raffle contributors, local businesses and volunteers including lighting and guitar technicians, photographers and artists.

He said his aim was to sell out the 550-capacity venue, with extra fundraising to come from raffles, selling cakes and the sale of a special soon-to-be-announced item.

Skygazer.
Camera IconSkygazer. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

“This will be Bury the Heard’s final curtain call and it will be the most important show of our five-year career,” Daines said.

From this week the band will be rehearsing twice a week to prepare for its 60-minute set, which will feature a never-before-played acoustic track and some covers.

“We all can’t wait to return to Badlands Bar – it was always our favourite venue to perform and hang out at and the shows we did there in the past have always been fond memories,” Daines said.

“It’s a huge part of that final chapter of the band and will now be the place of our most defining moment.

“I don’t think I could find anything more comforting than knowing Bury the Heard’s final show will be to help part of its family, at our favourite venue, doing what we loved: playing music together, having fun and raising money for a cause that is so close to our hearts.”

THE ESSENTIALS

What: An Evening with Bury the Heard

When: 7.30pm, March 1

Where: Badlands Bar, Perth (18+)

Tickets: $12 + fees from https://badlands.bar or $18 at the door

Dying Degree.
Camera IconDying Degree. Credit: Supplied/Supplied
Prognosis Negative.
Camera IconPrognosis Negative. Credit: Supplied/Supplied