Gospel Claws Frontman Fought Cancer and the Indie Community Chips In to Help Him Out

A A A Comments (0) By Anthony Sandoval Thursday, Jul 12 2012

Freedom and Owen have been champing at the bit to be a part of a live production for Through and Through ever since Marquard advanced them a copy of the record before the album's official digital release. So far, rehearsals have been fueled by everyone's eagerness and enthusiasm for the music but also by coming together for a friend in a time of need.

"It just goes to further show the strength and unity in our community here," Freedom says.

Susan Jord Anderson

Joel Marquard (second from left) and the rest of Gospel Claws

Location Info

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Crescent Ballroom

308 N. 2nd Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85003

Category: Bars and Clubs

Region: Central Phoenix

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The Joel Marquard Benefit is scheduled for Saturday, July 14.

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"The set's going to have everything from a nice solid gospel hillbilly rocker to a completely vocal track with little to no instrumentation," Owen says. "There's going to be a lot of diversity, which will be nice."

Marquard says he's eager to see what shape the songs take on, but he doesn't see more Through and Through shows in the future. The Gospel Claws' release will take up most of his time, and beyond that, he plans on tackling a new solo album with more of the doo-wop he just can't get out of his head. Even when he's driving around in his delivery truck, he's writing new songs — melody first, of course.

"Like earlier today, I wrote a super-catchy, almost pop melody," he says. "It's not too hard to sing and think of melodies when you're driving along. I read that kind of thing happened to Michael Jackson. He was driving along when — bam — there's the bass line to 'Billie Jean.'"

Owen has witnessed the creative flow firsthand during rehearsals for the upcoming benefit concert: "It seems like once he has a lyrical idea and a melody, the music and the harmonies just come right out."

"The whole thing is just supposed to be fun," Marquard says, brushing off the heavy theological implications that his gospel sounds have had a role in his recovery process. "I hope people get that vibe. I've had enough trouble in my life trying to explain the ridiculous 'gospel' parts of my band names."