WEEKLY VOLCANO: COMING TOGETHER >>>

Benefits for the four tragically slain Lakewood police officers are everywhere right now - and rightfully so. With so much pain, it's only naturally for people to want to help. It aids the healing process for our entire community.

Sunday at The Swiss in Tacoma, China Davis' Ben Fuller has helped throw together what, musically speaking, may be one of the best benefits going - collecting money for the Lakewood Police Independent Guild Charity Fund and offering music from The Missionary Position, Mom's Rocket, China Davis (naturally), Matt Eklund, Daniel Blue, Voxxy Vallejo and a host of others. The event - which has a $10 suggested donation - kicks of at 3 p.m. and has snowballed into a serious happening, with even KZOK getting involved to help promote it.

The Weekly Volcano caught up with Fuller earlier this week get his thoughts on the tragedy in Lakewood and organizing the benefit at the Swiss.

The interview will be posted in two parts. Part one posted on Thursday, Dec. 10. 

UPDATE: Fuller tells the Weekly Volcano that a benefit CD is being compiled and will be sold for $5 at Sunday's show at the Swiss. The CD will feature many of the artists scheduled to appear at the benefit.

WV: Talk about the lineup. What was your goal with it? How did you choose artists, and what were people's reactions when you approached them?

FULLER: The Northwest has a lot of music and no shortage of quality people offering to play events like this. My first goal was to put something together that Tacoma would want to see and show good taste. I kind of feel like this is a collection of some of the people I appreciate within the community. Actually, when Jeff Angell and Daniel Blue said they'd do it I knew we really had something. They are really the best of what Tacoma has to offer in their genre; it'd be a good event if they were the only ones on the bill. I really appreciate Jeff. He just jumped on this with no questions asked.

It's going to be good variety on Sunday. I'm really happy with the bill. We've got Dudley from Sweat Water and Voxxy Vallejo, who have four members who are longtime Lakewood residents finishing the night out. Mom's Rocket, who has been the KJR house band for the last year, will be playing.

I have my own personal favorites, too. People like Jim Basnight, who has a great back-story as a do-it-yourselfer from the late seventies punk and early eighties indie-rock scene.  

WV: Besides the music, what else are you doing at the event? Where does the money go?

FULLER: There will be $10 donation at the door and we are also putting together a raffle and all of the money goes to the Lakewood Police Independent Guild Charity Fund. http://lpig.us/ 

We also would love to offer any officer who would like to say something the chance to speak. This event is really about the community showing our appreciation for our policemen and policewomen. 

WV: How have the horrific murders in Lakewood that inspired this event personally affected you? Explain the emotions behind your involvement in this event.

FULLER: On a personal note, I found out that Officer Griswold was my daughter's mom's cousin. So, I guess in a way I am still trying to comprehend it all. I've been listening to music through different ears; I guess mortality is much more of a reality to me now.