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-- COAT --

COAT used to be one of my favorite bands. They have gone through some personnel changes and seem to be in semi-retirement these days. Drummer Larry Taube is now a member of a band called Brazil 2001, and bassist Cindy Albon left the band and joined Smart Brown Handbag.

What prompted me to post these old photos (from late 1993) was the news that Cindy has cancer. There was a big benefit show on her behalf at the Troubadour on July 17, 1997.

The scheduled bands were listed in the ad which ran in both the LA Weekly and New Times the week of the show.

The show was a big success. Because of the number of acts scheduled, the music began at 7:00 p.m., so attendence was light in the beginning, but a couple hours later the house was full.

Cindy told me her cancer was discovered during a routine physical, long before she felt any symptoms. She's had some surgery and chemotherapy, with more to come. Having lost hair because of the chemo, she was sporting a stylish beret the night of the show. Cindy is supplementing the medical treatments with acupuncture, herbs, other approaches. So far she hasn't really been sick except for a few bouts caused by the chemo. At the Troub she looked fine.

Of course, the highlight of the evening was the performance by Cindy's own band, Smart Brown Handbag. Earlier in the evening I had pointed to her purse and asked if it was the smart brown handbag. No, she explained, the band name was actually inspired by a briefcase. There was a guy the band knew who was always getting teased about his case, people saying it looked like a purse. No, a helpful friend remarked, it's really a smart brown handbag.

If you missed the show, you can still help Cindy out by sending a donation. Make checks payable to: Cindy Albon, c/o Stonegarden Records, 3101 Exposition Place, Los Angeles, CA 90018.