The Curtis Cassarino Memorial

Benefit Concert

featuring Grey Cell Green, Gargantua Soul, Damagetone, Gaiah, Fear the State and Still Life

Aug. 17 The Webster Theater in Hartford (31 Webster St). Tickets are $10. Doors open at 6. Tickets are available at greycellgreen.com or webstertheatre.com or by calling (800) 477-6849.

Until he died of asthma in his Manchester home last month, 36-year-old Grey Cell Green lead singer Curtis Cassarino lived in music. The music of Grey Cell Green, who broke up in 2003 and reformed for four shows last year, was a bombast that was both ambitious and immediate. The sound obviously comes from someone who loved an impressive spectrum of musical styles. However, Cassarino's relationship with music went far beyond appreciation.

"Curtis loved live rock shows, whether he was being the performer or was producing it. He loved the live show and how it came together," his friend and band mate Matt Glasser said.

Besides being the singing for the legendary Hartford-area progressive metal band Grey Cell Green since their 1999 inception, Cassarino worked regularly behind the scenes at local music venues, doing a variety of jobs, and often, in his words "saving the day."

"Curtis always went above and beyond to save the day and make it happen, whether that meant getting extra beer or food, or running to the Home Depot a million times. They seem like small things, but little things mean a lot," his friend and LiveNation co-worker Loren Jacobson said.

When he wasn't working or playing with Grey Cell Green, music poured out of him seemingly spontaneously, whether he was belting out a tune walking backstage or combining disparate musical elements with his skewed sense of humor.

"He was the king of parodies. He would put the lyrics of 'Sweet Child O' Mine' to 'Sweet Caroline,'" Glasser said.

It's fitting that the concert organized to honor someone whose life was defined by music will feature a line-up of hard rocking local acts, including Fear the State, Gaia and a reunited Gargantuan Soul. Plus, a series of guest singers will stand in for Cassarino, performing with the remaining members of Grey Cell Green.

"It's going to be interesting to hear all these different vocalists singing Grey Cell Green's music," Glasser said.

The proceeds from the show will go towards defraying costs from Cassarino's funeral and memorial service and the Curtis Cassarino Foundation, a fund organized by Cassarino's aunt and girlfriend.

The organizers hope the fund, whose exact nature hasn't been determined yet, will benefit causes related to Cassarino, including asthma research and musical education and instrument donation programs.

"Curtis battled asthma and bronchial problems for the last three years," Glasser said. "It's something he dealt with every day. He would wake up every morning and work all day, and he wouldn't complain."

The concert organizers say that the event is intended as a celebration of Cassarino's life, even though sadness over his loss is probably inevitable.

"I think the mood is going to be uplifting. I think Curtis's presence will be felt there through the people. I'm sure you'll see tears, but those tears will come from remembering happy memories," Glasser said.