With summer coming to a close and so much of the world seeming in disarray at times, what better way to show that not all is lost in humanity. Take one of my favorite bands - Battlecross. Whenever they come to town I look forward their shows because I get to hang out with a great bunch of guys. So for them to play the DFW area twice in a little over a month was something that normally would be one of the highlights, right? Well, it was the second show that made it a little bitter sweet as the band that always gives so much was coming back to help a longtime friend who is battling for his life.
“It was the Soulfly show (April) when he dropped the new on us,” recalls Battlecross guitarist Hiran Deraniyagala. “We didn’t even think twice and were like, absolutely; we’ll definitely help and do whatever we can. When things like that happen to such a good dude and such a good friend we didn’t hesitate to help out.” Hiran is referring to Tomcats West owner and Urizen bassist Rustin Luther who earlier this year was diagnosed with an inoperable tumor on his brain stem. “When you have that sort of friendship with someone like that for a long time there’s a mutual respect that you have,” Hiran adds.
After making a stop in Dallas in support of Soulfly in April the band returned in June to headline the “Fight Rustin Fight” Benefit show at Tomcats West in Fort Worth. “You do what you can for friend,” he says. “With no (medical) insurance benefits are a way to help lower hospital costs to help the family.” That’s exactly what he and bandmates Kyle “Gumby” Gunther, Tony Asta, Don Slater and Brian Zinc did as they took the stage and crushed the crowd with songs like Beast, Push.Pull.Destroy, Kaleb as well as some new ragers in the form of Absence and Blood & Lies. As usual the set was filled with Gumby’s always hilarious fillers and intro but some heart-felt words their friend to reiterate they respect the band has for their friend.