Jon Bunch Memorial Concert Brings Out a Who’s Who of the Classic Emo and Hardcore Scene

Following Jon Bunch’s funeral over the weekend, fans of the beloved former emo frontman were surprised by the announcement of a tribute show for Bunch featuring Sense Field and friends. The show was announced on Sunday and includes a massive lineup of guest vocalists sharing the stage with the band on March 20 at the Yost Theater. Stepping in to celebrate Bunch is a list of who’s-who vocalists of the classic emo and hardcore scene: Richie Birkenhead (Youth of Today, Into Another), Garrett Klahn (Texas Is The Reason), Kenny Vasoli (The Starting Line), Popeye (Farside), Jeff Caudill (Gameface), Walter Schreifels (Rival Schools, Quicksand), Sam Velde (Obliterations, Night Horse), Zoli Teglas (Ignite) and Matt Caughthran (The Bronx, Mariachi El Bronx).

Proceeds will go towards a fund that has been set up to help Jon’s 12-year-old son, Jack Bunch.

Casey Jones, one of the organizers of the event, says “friends and family decided to give him a proper send-of featuring the artists he most admired, including many that he shared stages with around the world throughout his vibrant career.”

Bunch, who passed away at age 45, lived in Long Beach and was a well loved and respected staple of both the OC and South Bay music scenes. Most recently, he’d formed a new band called Lucky Scars that had just released a debut EP, Rock and Roll Party Foul, on Spartan Records last December. Bunch was also preparing to record new music and plan tours with Lucky Scars. His dream was to tour Europe again like he’d done in the past with Sense Field and to tour South America with his new music. Bunch was also planning to get back in the studio to have the band record with producer Jim Monroe.

“He was one of a kind, so sweet and gentle and sensitive and kind and thoughtful and it’s amazing to read so many messages from people contacting me who never even met him in person but corresponded with him and were so touched by him,” his girlfriend Angelique Flores says. “He always helped people, anyone in need…It’s heart breaking, they had new songs that they were going to play at the show [at Alex’s Bar]. It’s heartbreaking that we’ll never get to see that and see more of what he did because we knew it was going to be great.”

For tickets and full info on the show, click here.