Death Cab, TVOTR, Others React to Hurricane Katrina

* Death Cab for Cutie will headline a September 21 benefit concert at the Showbox in their hometown of Seattle, supported by local alt-rock survivors Harvey Danger. Tickets go on sale today at 10 a.m. PST. Death Cab’s new album, Plans, debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 this week, after selling almost 90,000 copies. Yes, we live in some strange alternate universe where Death Cab for Cutie sell more records than Mariah Carey.

* TV on the Radio posted a new track, “Dry Drunk Emperor,” on the Touch and Go records website, accompanied by a message from the band:

“we ( tvotr ) were back in the studio thinking and feeling again and made this song for all our everybody... in the absence of a true leader we must not forget that we are still together.... hearts are sick ... minds must change ... it is our hope that this song inspires, comforts, fosters courage, and reminds us... this darkness cannot last if we work together. let us help each other... heal each other.... look after one another ... the human heart is our new capitol.... this song is for you....us.....we....them...it is free. pass it on.”

“TO THOSE AFFECTED BY HURRICANE KATRINA: NEW YORK CITY'S HEART IS WITH YOU... STAY STRONG ! WE LOVE YOU . –tvotr”

The song, which rails against President Bush, can be downloaded here.

* Kimya Dawson of antifolk superheroes Moldy Peaches has organized Relief Through Music, asking for donations of CDs, cassettes, Walkmen, Discmen, boom boxes and other music players, to be given out to teens in Louisiana and Texas. “My teenage years were the hardest years of my life and the years where my friends and my possessions meant so so so much to me,” Dawson wrote on the Relief Through Music website. “I can't imagine being a teenager and going through tough times without my music…Imagine losing your home, all of your possessions, and members of your family, some of your friends...It might help a little to put on some headphones and escape.”

* Michael Jackson has written a song titled “From the Bottom of My Heart,” which he plans to record with an all-star lineup for a benefit single. "It pains me to watch the human suffering taking place in the Gulf region of my country," he said in an official statement. "My heart and prayers go out to every individual who has had to endure the pain and suffering caused by this tragedy.

* The outpouring of support from the hip-hop community continues. David Banner’s Heal the Hood foundation is sponsoring a September 17 benefit concert at Philips Arena in Atlanta, GA, featuring performances by Banner, Young Jeezy, T.I., Twista, Nelly and 8Ball & MJG. Banner has been volunteering in his home state of Mississippi, handing out food, water and supplies.

Lil Troy has partnered with Houston, TX’s Black Heritage Society to organize a “comfort drive” collecting clothes and canned goods. He has also taken ten refugees into his own home.

DJ/producer Clinton Sparks is running the “Dare to Care” contest for party promoters, donating his DJ skills for a night to those who plan the biggest parties, with all proceeds going to relief efforts.

* Several smaller-scale benefit shows are in the works at venues across the country. In Brooklyn, NYClub Exit will host the “New York for New Orleans” concert on September 17, featuring Bad Wizard, the Mighty Fine and Aa / Big A little a. Also in Brooklyn, the A-Bones (featuring former members of the Cramps), Kid Congo Powers and the Pink Monkey Birds, the Insomniacs and Spittoons will perform at Magnetic Field this Sunday, September 11.

At Emo’s in Austin, TX, a slew of local bands will rock out on September 20, including Young Heart Attack, Cruiserweight, Sally Crewe & The Sudden Moves and Single Frame.

The Used, Bad Religion, Taking Back Sunday, Anti-Flag and many more punk bands will play the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Irvine, CA on October 8, at a benefit organized by the folks behind the Warped Tour and A Taste of Chaos.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO THE RED CROSS

href= http://pitchforkmedia.com/news/05-09/06.shtml#katrina> Hurricane Katrina Aftermath: Chilton Found, Relief Efforts Organized