BERKELEY, CA (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — A memorial concert will be held April 19 at 924 Gilman Street in Berkeley, CA in honor of Lynette Knackstedt—a founding member of the seminal ska-punk band Skankin' Pickle—who passed away on December 7, 2007 from a drug overdose after years of battling addiction. As an openly gay female musician in the late 80's, Lynette broke chauvinistic and homophobic boundaries and became a role model for many with her charismatic stage presence and open manner. Considered early pioneers of the 3rd wave ska scene, playing a mixture of two tone, funk and jazz, Skankin' Pickle released six albums before disbanding in 1996 and members found their way into other bands such as MU330, 78 RPMS, The Bruce Lee Band, The Chinkees, Captured By Robots and Redemption 87. The band formed Dill Records in 1991 to release their own material as well as other then-unknown acts as Less Than Jake, the Rudiments, and Slapstick.
The event is being organized by Lynette's former band mate and Asian Man Records founder Mike Park. Backed by Bay-area ska band Monkey, the singer-songwriter will perform a set of all Skankin' Pickle tunes under the moniker The Bruce Lee Band. Rounding out the bill are The Barfeeders, and the all gay burlesque-influenced Lucifer's Strip Club Band, with whom Lynette performed.
While Skankin' Pickle's music was upbeat—including lighthearted, quirky tunes such as the pseudo-love song "I'm in Love with a Girl Named Spike'—the majority of the band's music and ideology focused on social and racial equality. Park recalls, "Lynette broke all stereotypes for women in rock music. Especially for an openly gay women, she served as a role model for many young women and men. Her larger than life appeal will be missed by all who have had the opportunity to know her."
All proceeds raised will be donated to the Ohlhoff Recovery Program. Founded in 1958, the San Francisco-based center provides high quality treatment for drug awareness and recovery. – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
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