Seattle band Brad regroups for benefit and album

By Jonathan Cohen

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Seattle band Brad, a side-project featuring Pearl Jam guitarist Stone Gossard, hasn't played live in three years, but its October 17 concert in New York is about much more than shaking off the cobwebs.

In tandem with Billy Bragg, Steve Earle, Tim Robbins and as-yet-unannounced guests, Brad will play Webster Hall to raise funds for the Huntington's Disease Society of America. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster.

The event hits particularly close to home for Gossard, whose wife's mother, brother and grandfather have suffered with Huntington's. Woody Guthrie is the most prominent name associated with the disease, a rare neurological disorder that is somewhat akin to Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis.

There is no cure for Huntington's, but symptoms can be managed with medication. "There are so many people in the HD community that don't have the care they need," Gossard told Billboard.com. "We wanted to support both the care that people get for HD through local chapters and any scientific breakthroughs that may be on the horizon."

While in New York, Brad is hoping to play a separate headlining show, details of which are still coming together. Gossard has also finished tweaking a batch of material the band recorded in 2004 but is just now ready to release, comprising the songs "Every Whisper," "Rush Hour," "No Regrets," "Price of Love," "One Love Remains," "Low," "Bless Me Father," "Believe in Yourself," "Oh Goodness," "Luxury Car" and "Holiday."

As for Pearl Jam, the group is taking a break following a summer European tour. A live DVD filmed by photographer Danny Clinch, "Immagine in Cornice," was released last week.

"We're in that period of time where we actually allow ourselves to not know what's going to happen next, which is great," Gossard said.

Reuters/Billboard