Story from the Oregonian

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Dub DeBrie fans respond to story of musician's plight, buy tickets to benefit show

By Marty Hughley, The Oregonian

January 20, 2010, 5:07PM

Dub DeBrie works over his set list during a rehearsal in his and Anne's living room. Photos by Ross William Hamilton/The OregonianDuring my years as The Oregonian's pop music critic, I spent my share of evenings at such Portland nightclubs as Berbati's Pan, Key Largo and Satyricon. But clearly I should have been spending more time hanging out at Rich's Kitchen in Tualatin.

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That's where Dub DeBrie held forth for several years in the 1990s, and it was the source of many fond musical memories, to judge by the readers who've responded to a story in last Sunday's O section about the singer-guitarist's ongoing battle with HIV/AIDS.

"My favorite Dub memory: Watching him shred guitar strings on his casted arm playing pinball wizard, to the point that he couldn't keep playing," a reader commented under the name Ravenette. "Did he stop? No. He changed the strings in seconds and picked up RIGHT where he left off. The crowd went wild!!!"

Other readers have responded to the story's depiction of the acceptance and closeness between DeBrie and his wife. Wrote PastorChristopher, "Anne and your support circle are all angels among us...you are so blessed. We are hopeful to attend one of your shows soon. Until then, deep peace to you."

PastorChristopher and others will have a chance to see DeBrie with the trio Conroy-DeBrie (Dub, Anne and bassist Tony Conroy) this Friday and Saturday at J.B. O'Brien's in Tigard.

But the date to mark you calendar for is Jan. 31. That's when a group of DeBrie's friends will present "Play or Die," a benefit jam session to help the musician with his expenses. Among the musicians anchoring the session will be Conroy, drummer (and session organizer) Eric Williams, guitarist Jon Prince, plus two other superb drummers -- the versatile Portland stalwart Carlton Jackson, and Todd Strait, who tours the world with jazz singer Karrin Allyson. 

According to Anne DeBrie, close to 200 tickets for the benefit have been sold so far. It's hours have been extended to 6 p.m.-10 p.m., and if it sells out (about 400 tickets) soon, the show might be moved upstairs to the Roseland Theater's main hall.