Local metal bands to perform Toys for Tots benefit show
Dec. 9—The humor behind a collection of the region's heaviest bands sharing a poster with "Toys for Tots" is not lost on the members of ANTISAINT. But raising money for the United States Marine Corps charity is a serious matter for them.
"I wouldn't say it's breaking stereotypes or anything," ANTISAINT co-founder Andrew Whiteman said during a phone call with the Wyoming Tribune Eagle on Thursday."There's a lot of people in the metal community that (care), it's more than just surface level."
Based out of Cheyenne, brothers Matt (lead vocals) and Andrew Whiteman (guitar) are fresh off of a summer where they did what few Wyoming bands have ever done — play in one of the world's largest music festivals. On June 10, ANTISAINT performed at the long-running Download Festival in Leicestershire, England, which featured performances from Metallica, Slipknot, Ghost, Gwar, Clutch, Five Finger Death Punch, and other heavyweights of metal and hard rock.
However, the band hasn't had significant face-time with local fans since they relocated from Denver to Cheyenne during the COVID-19 pandemic. That will change on Dec. 15 when ANTISAINT, joined by local metal groups Fell Harvest, Free Fire and Miss Anthropy, take the stage at The Lincoln Theatre for their Toys for Tots Benefit Show.
"This is one of the shows that I always look forward to, just because it's more than a show," Andrew Whiteman said. "We're raising toys and money for a great cause, and helping out the local community, and it's really important to give back because the Cheyenne community has been really, really good to this band.
"Every time that we've done one of these, we try and make it a little bit more special. We bring in a little bit of extra production, and, for this one, we're going to be debuting two new songs. We really, really pay attention to this show."
ANTISAINT is still riding off of their 2021 album release, VATICINATE, though they released the single "Paradise" in June. Right now, the majority of the band's focus lies in writing material for a new album next year, though they did perform at The Lincoln with Drowning Pool in August and Puddle of Mudd last year.
It's been a long time since they last participated in a benefit concert of the like, performing with Drowning Pool in Dallas some years ago. They recall watching a half semi-truck become nearly packed to capacity with donated toys by the end of that night's show.
It's a novel idea for Cheyenne, and the brothers are unsure as to how it will be received among residents, but they're not setting the bar too high. The hope is that they can establish an annual tradition in Cheyenne that will gradually gain traction to where they, too, will be able to send a semi-truck of donations to Laramie County Toys for Tots.
Plus, it's a great opportunity for local bands to take the stage.
"Matt and I went, found Fell Harvest, Free Fire and Miss Anthropy," Andrew Whiteman said. "We thought it'd be equally as important to have an all-local Cheyenne band lineup just to get the community that much more involved. I know that this is Miss Anthropy's first show, so it's really cool that they're gonna experience it at The Lincoln."
Last year, Toys for Tots distributed 14,600 toys to 1,768 local children. For more information on how to donate, contact Wendi Henderson, Laramie County Toys for Tots coordinator, at 678-215-7584, or visit cheyenne-wy.toysfortots.org.
Tickets to the show are $10, but attendees can receive a discount by donating a toy at The Lincoln on the night of the concert. All funds raised through ticket sales will also be donated to Laramie County Toys for Tots.
Will Carpenter is the Wyoming Tribune Eagle's Arts and Entertainment/Features Reporter. He can be reached by email at wcarpenter@wyomingnews.com or by phone at 307-633-3135. Follow him on Twitter @will_carp_.
