I tested it, and if you enlarge the image below (by clicking/pushing it; do the same to make it go away) and scan the QR code with your phone, it takes you to the ticket-buy page for this benefit show for weirdo legend Tim Cronin, known for his work in The Ribeye Brothers, for being the OG singer in Monster Magnet and traveling with that band for decades, for being the unofficial mayor of Red Bank at Jack’s Music, and so on. In March, Cronin’s ALS diagnosis was made public and a GoFundMe was launched that you’ll also find embedded at the bottom of this post. You should donate so they have to make another new goal and push it to $100k.

I’m sure it’ll be a cool show as organized by The Ribeye Brothers‘ Joe Calandra (also ex-Monster Magnet), but if you go into it thinking of it as a party in Cronin‘s honor in addition to being to his getting the proceeds from the tickets sold, it feels like you’re on the right track vibe-wise.

The PR wire had details:

NJ Music Community Rallies for Tim Cronin (Monster Magnet, Ribeye Brothers) – June 22 Benefit Show in Long Branch, NJ

Buy Tickets HERE: https://tim-5.betterworld.org/events/tim-s-benefit-show

Earlier this year, Tim Cronin, original Monster Magnet member, beloved Ribeye Brother, and cherished Jack’s Record Shoppe stalwart, was diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). Now, he needs our support. Join us on Sunday, June 22, at Whitechapel Projects in Long Branch, NJ, for a one-of-a-kind art auction and live music event to benefit Tim.

Hosted by standup comedian Dave Hill, the bands — Holmes, Von Mons, and The Long Defeats — start at 3 pm and will be playing short sets of Ribeye covers, alongside some awesome rock’n’roll DJs.

The art auction features pieces donated by various artist friends, including a signed Beastie Boys print from photographer Danny Clinch. Tim also contributed one of his own pieces to the event. Pat Longo graciously created the show poster, and you can view more of his work HERE: https://www.instagram.com/patjameslongo_artwork/

Event organizer and Ribeye Brother, Joe Calandra comments:

“Save the date. This benefit is for one of my oldest and dearest friends, Tim Cronin. Tim and I have been close since the mid-’80s, when we first met at Jack’s Music. We’ve been all over the world together during our Monster Magnet days, but what I’m most proud of is sharing the stage with him in the Ribeye Brothers for the past 14 years. Please come to the show if you can — to support Tim and celebrate his amazing life. I’m so grateful to have had him in my life all these years. Thank you, Tim.”

The venue was generously donated by Marilyn Schlossbach, who owns the White Chapel Projects, as well as the Low Dive (formerly the Yacht Club) and the Langosta Lounge (now operating under a new name) — all places the Ribeye Brothers have played over the years.

This benefit is a true labor of love, with so many friends and associates working hard to make it happen, including Joe’s wife, Samantha, and Todd Abramson of WFMU, who have been handling venue details, lining up DJs, organizing the auction, and keeping everything on track. BetterWorld provides ticketing and online auction services.

I don’t have a ton to say here. If you know who Tim Cronin is, either because you’re in New Jersey or because you’re just hip like that, you’ve probably already donated. If not, let this be your urging. Give Tim Cronin your fucking money.

I could go on about how ridiculous it is that we have to pay each other’s medical bills when medical bills shouldn’t exist in the first place, but it’s not the time. The donate button is below. In the parlance of our age, smash it. I’ve cut and pasted the original info on the GoFundMe page in blue below.

Dear friends, family, and supporters –

You may know Tim Cronin as the keeper of musical knowledge at Jack’s Music Shop in Red Bank for nearly 4 decades, the lead singer of local NJ legends The Ribeye Brothers, his years touring around the world with Monster Magnet as master of lights, or his prolific podcast appearances. If you do then you know that he is one of the kindest, funniest, and most genuine people you will ever be lucky enough to meet. He would love nothing more than to spend the rest of his years performing music, grilling for friends and family at his legendary bbqs, and walking the beach with the love of his life, his wife Carrie.

But devastatingly for Tim, he has been diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), a progressive and incurable neurodegenerative disease that causes muscle weakness, paralysis, and eventual respiratory system failure. It has already begun robbing him of his independence and the things that he loves to do. To say this has been shattering for Tim’s beloved wife, stepdaughter, and the many people who love him is an understatement. It’s not in Tim’s nature to ask for help, as he is the guy who helps others – but it’s our turn to help him now.

While there is no cure, there are care options and accommodations that can have a profound impact on his quality of life. Unfortunately, they are significantly expensive. ALS has been called “the bankruptcy disease” due to the significant and ever increasing financial burden it places on families. We are asking for your support to help ease the cost of this cruel and unfeeling disease and give Tim the comfort and dignity that he deserves.

You donations will go directly towards:
* In-home assistance
* Wheelchair ramp
* Mobility aids
* Medical treatments and therapies
* Assistive devices
* Transportation to doctors appointments

If you’re unable to donate, please consider sharing on all your social media platforms. We can’t ever express our gratitude for the kind words and love we’ve already received.

The Obelisk Questionnaire is a series of open questions intended to give the answerer an opportunity to explore these ideas and stories from their life as deeply as they choose. Answers can be short or long, and that reveals something in itself, but the most important factor is honesty.

Based on the Proust Questionnaire, the goal over time is to show a diverse range of perspectives as those who take part bring their own points of view to answering the same questions. To see all The Obelisk Questionnaire posts, click here.

Thank you for reading and thanks to all who participate.

The Obelisk Questionnaire: Tim Cronin of The Ribeye Brothers

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How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?

I sing in The Ribeye Brothers a garage rock band. I started in my mid/late 20s in a couple of bands that didn’t really do much, most notably Dog of Mystery with John McBain and later Dave Wyndorf which morphed into Monster Magnet. I initially drummed and sang. It started out being noisy repetitive heavy psych jams with the rhythm being pretty basic, as I was/am a non-drummer I was fine with simple heavy “cave man-esque” drums. Vocals were an afterthought, mainly drowned by the music.

As the band progressed, the song structures became more complex and my musical shortcomings were emphasized. Dave was becoming more comfortable singing and playing guitar and had the right “swagger” for the songs. I had/have what might be charitably described as “anti-swagger.” So after a brief uncomfortable tenure (two singles, two EPs) I ended up doing lights and liquid projections for Magnet where I was a better fit. I then started Daisy Cutter with Jim and Reg Hogan where I was happy being part of a two-drummer lineup. In ’97, Jon Kleiman (drummer for Magnet, guitarist for Ribeyes) and I started writing songs and that’s where I’m at now.

Describe your first musical memory.

When I was a little kid on a drive with my parents in our Datsun station wagon, “Do You Know the Way to San Jose” by Dionne Warwick came on and something clicked. I know I’ve heard songs/music before that but that’s the one that stuck.

Describe your best musical memory to date.

Seeing Mudhoney at the Court Tavern in New Brunswick opening for Das Damen, like a fucking bomb went off.

When I was in Monster Magnet and the first time we played CBGB’s.

When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?

Probably one of the early European tours Magnet did. It really opened my eyes about America’s place in the world and how it’s perceived. I was part of a mainly European crew playing foreign venues and it was eye-opening.

Where do you feel artistic progression leads?

Hopefully to more progression which could go in any direction. Revisiting previous work with different eyes is also progression.

How do you define success?

Doing something that is challenging and even if it’s generally considered a failure, you get something out of it. More realistically, being able to pay your bills by doing something that’s artistically fulfilling.

What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?

Besides a couple of dead bodies (traffic accidents), some shitty movies and the Trump presidency, not much.

Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.

I have no idea until I actually do it.

What do you believe is the most essential function of art?

Think outside yourself, show the world in a different way.

Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?

Always the New York Mets.

https://www.facebook.com/TheRibeyeBrothers
https://www.instagram.com/ribeyebrothersband/
https://theribeyebrothers.bandcamp.com/

The Ribeye Brothers, “Eyes of Santa”