‘Their funding is not what it should be,’ said Gene Turgeon, a retired Sault physician and frontman with Not Dead Yet

A new local band with an eclectic style is putting on a show to help community members in need.

Formed last year, Not Dead Yet is hosting a benefit concert for Save Our Young Adults (SOYA), a local non-profit that provides advocacy and support for those facing substance abuse issues and more.

“Their funding is not what it should be,” said Gene Turgeon, a retired Sault physician and frontman with the group.

“They’re doing an amazing job in our community and an essential job, and we want to help.”

The band’s style includes a mix of rock, folk, country and other influences, with lighthearted humour interwoven into the show.

“The show is a combination of all kinds of music,” Turgeon said.

“There’s a little bit of running humour throughout, both in the songs and in the talk between the songs.”

Although Not Dead Yet is a newer band, its members are no strangers to performing – or to helping others in the community.

Much of the group previously played with The Comedics, a band that raised over $2 million for local causes across nearly three decades before recently disbanding.

“We love making music. We love performing together, and then if we can actually do some good and give back to the community . . . that’s just the perfect combination for us,” Turgeon said.

This year’s show will be the second benefit concert Not Dead Yet has played for SOYA.

After attending a previous benefit show for the local organization a few years ago, Turgeon thought it would be a good idea to offer the band’s services for future concerts – which SOYA took the group up on last year.

“It was very successful, and that night while we were on stage they made us promise to come back in a year – so we’re coming back,” he said.

The show is set for May 7 at Moose Lodge. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. for the 7:30 show, with a cash bar available for guests.

Tickets, which are available here, are $40 each. 

All proceeds from the concert will benefit SOYA.