When alternative rock band Third Eye Blind was riding high on the success of one of the biggest record deals of the time and its 1997 eponymous debut with the top singles “Semi-Charmed Life,” “Jumper” and “How’s It Going to Be,” lead singer and guitarist Stephan Jenkins was brought back down to earth a bit by the news his mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer.
In 2001, Jenkins staged a concert called Breathe to raise money for cancer research. And he and his bandmates have continued to champion many causes, from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) to Children’s Hospital Association, Tiger Woods Foundation (for children’s health, education and welfare) and Make Room (for affordable rental housing).
More recently, Jenkins has been teaching veterans and active-duty personnel with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) how to surf, with marines at a joint military base in Okinawa next on the list.
Now, when the band has finished months and months of touring in support of the 20th anniversary of its debut, the guys will come out of California-style hibernation mode and fly into Chicago to help local families battling cancer.
“It was easy for us to say yes,” Jenkins said recently by phone from his San Francisco home.
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Third Eye Blind will headline WeishFest, one of the Southland’s largest charity concerts, on Friday, Dec. 1, at 115 Bourbon St., the entertainment complex located at 3359 W. 115th St. in Merrionette Park.
WeishFest is the Andrew Weishar Foundation (AWF)’s fifth annual fundraiser. The foundation honors Andrew Weishar (pronounced “wisher”), a Brother Rice High School graduate who passed away in 2012 at age 21 after battling colorectal cancer, and his wish to pay it forward.
The AWF has raised more than $550,000 and provided immediate financial assistance to some 90 families fighting cancer.
“This group targets individuals which is an interesting way of approaching cancer care,” Jenkins said. “My mom has access to healthcare and she was fortunate she was able to get detection and treatment. Our road manager is a young guy at 28. He had cancer very young and I saw him struggle with healthcare.”
All proceeds from WeishFest go to families in need, many with children and young adults who are the ones afflicted with cancer.
“We are lucky to have Third Eye Blind on board and we can’t wait for the amazing things that will result from their involvement,” said Dan Weishar, Andrew’s younger brother who has booked Warrant and Eddie Money in years past as the AWF’s executive director. “It’s not often that you can see a band of this stature so intimately at a small venue here on the South Side. We are a volunteer-led grassroots event that brings together thousands in our community for one special night all in the spirit of making a difference.”
WeishFest is one of only two public gigs on Third Eye Blind’s December schedule, with the second a New Year’s Eve show in Orange County.
“When the season changes it’s a really nice time to be in Chicago,” Jenkins said. “We have a lot of friends there so we’re looking forward to it.”
Lead guitarist Kryz Reid may or may not play WeishFest since he broke his arm — and his nose — after falling on ice and getting knocked unconscious in Billings, MT, on tour in early November.
“We hope Kryz will be back by then but we can’t say. He’s getting a new cast and a guitar in his hands soon,” Jenkins said, joking about Reid’s appearance. “His nose looks so much better now. We’re really happy with the break. He’s a handsome devil.”
If Reid isn’t able to play WeishFest, in his place will be Joe Pepper, lead guitarist of the Atlanta, Ga.-based pop punk band Cartel, who toured with Third Eye Blind. Pepper, also Reid’s guitar tech, filled in for him on the final tour dates.
Jenkins formed Third Eye Blind in 1993 with lead guitarist Kevin Cadogan. The current lineup includes Brad Hargreaves, who has played drums since 1995, with Reid, Alex LeCavalier (bass) and Alex Kopp (keyboards). The latter three joined after “Ursa Major,” the band’s third release in 2009, and recorded 2015’s “Dopamine” and the 2016 EP “We Are Drugs.”
The next release, planned for February but delayed due to Reid’s broken arm, is an eclectic album of covers by Beyonce, Queens of the Stone Age, Seattle indie female band Chastity Belt and others.
“This is time for us to be off the road and focusing on creative aspects and making music,” said Jenkins, noting the band will work on new material and plans to play festivals next summer. “I don’t feel compelled to make full-length albums anymore. EPs are just fine. I’m not making any kind of preconceived notion of what it’s going to be. It’s just about making new music and putting it out.”
Supporting Third Eye Blind are local bands Trippin’ Billies, Suburban Cowboys, American Grizzly and Sean & Charlie. Doors open at 5 p.m. To donate, go to weish4ever.org.
Vickie Snow Jurkowski is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
Third Eye Blind
When: 5 p.m. doors, Dec. 1, at WeishFest
Where: 115 Bourbon Street, 3359 W. 115th St. in Merrionette Park.
Tickets: $35 general admission, with limited stage viewing; $125 intimate concert viewing, full venue access, a dinner buffet and six-hour open bar.
Information: www.weishfest.com
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