If you are a punk, metal or thrash fan, here’s a chance to help a great band and a great cause.

Legendary hardcore/thrash band Dirty Rotten Imbeciles (D.R.I.) formed in Houston, Texas in 1982 and, alongside bands like Suicidal Tendencies, Corrosion of Conformity and Stormtroopers of Death, were one of the main groups to spearhead the “crossover” movement of the late 80s, which melded hardcore punk with thrash metal.  While never earning widespread commercial success, the band is legendary amongst fans of US hardcore and thrash metal due to classic albums like “Dealing With It” and “Crossover.”

In March 2006, lead guitarist Spike Cassidy was diagnosed with colon cancer, but this did not keep him down. After surgery and treatment, he got back out on the road, doing what he loves: playing with D.R.I.

* WARNING! This video contains explicit language. *

Last month, D.R.I.’s management had to cancel several tour dates, just a few days before the shows. Spike’s cancer treatments had caused an emergency hospital visit and further treatment. (See photos here.) Brown Paper Tickets’ 24 hour service team took the call from D.R.I.’s management, and communicated with all the ticket buyers for them, making the refunds. In a show of support, Brown Paper Tickets donated the full amount of all tickets refunded as a contribution to the fund for Spike’s medical bills.

Brown Paper Tickets has also set up a donation landing page, good through the end of 2012, whereby any donations made to Spike’s recovery will be matched. Here is the site: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/290152.   Here’s where you come in: Use this link to donate funds to Spike’s medical bills and recovery and share it with your friends.

“Brown Paper Tickets, the ‘Not-Just-For-Profit ticketing company,’ has joined forces with the Spike Cassidy Cancer Relief Fund (SCCRF) to help raise money for my enormous medical bills from cancer treatment and numerous surgeries,” said Spike Cassidy, “Brown Paper Tickets will be matching all donations made through their event page ‘D.R.I. – Spike Cassidy Cancer Relief Donation Page.’ I would like to thank Brown Paper Tickets for this generous contribution, and support of our fundraiser!”

According to Spike’s website, “Whether you are donating $5 or $50, you will be helping Spike and his family tremendously. D.R.I. and the Cassidy family thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

The good news is that D.R.I. and Spike are back out on the road! Their next gig is this Friday, November 16 at The Bunkhouse in Las Vegas. They are playing with shock rockers from Vegas, I.D.S.F.A., as well as locals  Sector 7g, False Cause, Deep Fried Orphans,and more.  You can pick up tickets for the show right over here.

Brown Paper Tickets invites you to come on out, get in the pit, enjoy the show, and if you love their music like we do, give whatever you can to the Spike Cassidy Cancer Fund through the donation link. Your donation will be doubled by Brown Paper Tickets, and appreciated by Spike and his family.

To see the rest of D.R.I.’s tour dates, take a look, here.