Fundraising Efforts Under Way for Family of Late Gates of Slumber Bassist Jason McCash

Bassist Jason McCash of Indianapolis doom metal band the Gates of Slumber passed away last month, leaving behind a wife and three children. He was just 37 years old, and several fundraising efforts are under way to benefit his family.

Last night (May 4), a memorial show was held in Indianapolis. Several bands played, including Coffinworm and Iron Diamond, with proceeds from admission and merchandise given to McCash's family.

In a recent post on the Gates of Slumber Facebook page, singer-guitarist Karl Simon wrote in part, "I'd like to thank everyone for their kind words and donations to the McCash family fund. I'm sorry to have been out of touch, but the past few weeks have been kind of a walking hell for me. Jason was my friend, my best friend for 20 years; that's over half my tiny life. Aside from musical crap I considered him blood, and I'd have died or killed for him, fact."

"Another fact is that it's strange and scary to think of a world without him, many times in my life I was at his home more than mine; his home was more my home than my home at times, and the fact that he is no longer here has been a massive blow not to this band, but to my life and more important, the lives of his kids and his wife; his father, his sister and his brothers. By way of comparison this band was nothing: a diversion. It meant the world to us, maybe too much... . In any case my brother is dead."

Meanwhile, Ripple Music has set up a benefit eBay auction of a rare test pressing. You can bid on a 2xLP test pressing of Earthen Grave's debut album at this location.

The annual Days of the Doomed Fest is coming up next month in Milwaukee, and organizers have renamed the event in McCash's honor. This year's festival on June 20 and 21 will be called Days Of The Doomed Fest IV - In Memory Of Jason McCash.

Merchandise bundles, which will include a McCash memorial t-shirt, a button, and special tribute rubber wrist band will be available. Proceeds will go directly to Jason's wife and three children. These bundles will be limited to 100.

In addition, a McCash Memorial Family Fund has been set up at GoFundMe.com. So far more than $14,000 of the $20,000 goal has been raised.