LOS ANGELES – Imagine a small, intimate setting with Tom Morello as the host and main performer, and Perry Farrell as his main cohort. Then throw in Ben Harper, Richard Patrick of Filter, and Sen Dog and B-Real of Cypress Hill.

The Nightwatchman, a.k.a. Morello, brings together a revolving stage of socially conscious and politically active musicians to raise funds and awareness for The Axis of Justice organization. A nonprofit organization founded in 2004 by Tom Morello (Audioslave/Rage Against the Machine) and Serj Tankian (System of a Down), its aim is to bring together musicians, music fans and grassroots political organizations to fight for social justice. AOJ focuses on a variety of issues including homelessness, racism, peace, labor issues, the environment, and much more.




A mere $10 donation got you into the evening's Wednesday night festivities at the Hotel Café. Well that, and showing up EARLY. The Hotel Café had reached capacity by about 10 p.m., and a crowd of 100 were left standing outside. To make sure no one felt left out, Morello and guests popped their heads outside from time to time, and impromptu performances erupted in the alley behind the club. Moments later, Morello joked onstage, encouraging the audience to sing so loud that those outside would be kicking themselves for not getting there earlier, and the audience eagerly gave him what he asked for.




"All I wanna do is shake my sh--, just shake my sh-- tonight," the crowd of 200-plus shouted along with Morello and Farrell as the band tore it up onstage. For me, it was one of those magical moments, where the energy in the room leaves you feeling strong enough to fly and brave enough to try it!

The fundraiser raised approximately $1,800 in ticket sales, with the Axis of Justette Girls raising another $350 from patrons both inside and outside the venue. Last night's funds will be distributed to PATH, an international nonprofit organization working to improve health and global well-being.

The fundraiser was part of a series produced at The Hotel Café and served to promote The Nightwatchmen's debut release, last year's One Man Revolution, as well as his upcoming Justice Tour.

The two-week, seven city tour kicks off Tuesday The Troubadour in West Hollywood, California. 

Musicians scheduled to participate in the Justice Tour include Slash, Farrell (of the recently "reunited" Jane's Addiction), Tool singer Maynard James Keenan, Sen Dog, Shooter Jennings, Wayne Kramer and many others.




Get involved at AxisofJustice.org.

For tour dates and tickets, go to MySpace.com/TheNightwatchman.

And don't miss Morello's all-star SXSW performance, which Buzznet caught on tape last month in Austin, Texas.
 

~Leah Ann Cevoli