music: Rock Without Borders and, paradoxically, without rock
Dock Currie, The Peak

March 5 will mark the day of "Rock Without Borders," a benefit show organised by the SFU Engineers Without Borders, featuring Means to an End and Electric Blues Euphoria. Hence, I feel it is appropriate to explain here something about the nature of music journalism. Giving an opinion on bands playing benefit shows for worthy causes is akin, in many respects, to judging the personality of, say, a cancer surgeon. Regardless of whatever damage they may do on a small scale, you should still put up with it for the greater good. After all, in the case of music, if you knock the band, then you inherently knock the cause. At the same time, however, if a journalist doesn't illustrate the quality of the music, then they're negligent and derelict of duty. This is true to the extent that I begin to resent the bands for hiding themselves, and their flaws, behind something so untouchable as charity. This is something that I think is evident in this show, as well as in the bands that are playing in it.

There is something noble in playing a show on top of a mountain in March for little or no money for the betterment of a non-profit organisation. Joel Zylberberg, an organiser of the event, said that EWB feels the bands are "really going out of their way, and [EWB] appreciates that."

That being said, however, Means to an End has an intolerable punk melody, and Electric Blues Euphoria is merely an OK band, who are forever trapped in the cycle of not living up to hype. Neither group is likely to change the fact that everyone leaves this desolate rock after 5 p.m. This is sad, really, because if you're bogarting the Convocation Mall for an evening to set up a beer garden, then it would be in your best interest to make sure that there are people there to drink the beer.

But Engineers Without Borders, in general, and especially on campus, is definitely worth your ensuring its survival. The money generated by the show will support EWB's campus activities and the Scala Project. The Scala Project is "a development project focusing on poverty reduction for out-of-school youth in the Philippines." So, you can see how someone may be torn over the issue of whether or not to go. I would say that you'd be wise to go, get drunk off of a $2.50 beer, and that way at least you'll have a good time and wake up with a clean karma, if not a raging hangover.

"Rock Without Borders" starts at 7 p.m. on March 5, and is open to all ages. ID will be required for the beer. Tickets are $7 at Enchant, and there is a free drink included with the first 100 tickets sold.

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