Saturday, December 14th, Torchlight Parade had the honor of sharing the stage with Cause of Ruin and The Nightmare for an epic Toys for Tots benefit show, and it was a night to remember! The energy in the room was electric as each band brought their A-game, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the amazing turnout and support.
Cause of Ruin kicked off the night with their high-energy set, playing all original material and even throwing in a hard version of Sledgehammer by Peter Gabriel. Their holiday spirit was contagious as they rocked ugly Christmas sweaters, funny hats, and silly glasses, setting the festive mood for the night. Their passion for their music and their love for the cause was clear, and it was a blast sharing the stage with them.
The Nightmare brought their A-game with their Alice Cooper-inspired stage presence and unforgettable performance. The singer’s voice was pure authenticity, and their energy never wavered. One of the highlights of their set was during Cold Ethel, when they brought out a skeleton to dance with Alice, creating a spine-chilling yet fun atmosphere. The excitement didn’t stop there—they also brought out the guillotine for the dramatic decapitation of Alice, leaving the crowd in awe of their theatrical flair. The band captivated the audience with their incredible showmanship and left everyone in awe of their talent and charisma. It was a true pleasure to witness their impressive performance.
We also had the privilege of having Ivar the Micro join us for three cover songs, and wow—did he deliver! His amazing voice and charismatic stage presence were the perfect addition to the night. From start to finish, he nailed every song and kept the energy high, making the night even more special for everyone in attendance.
A Huge Thank You to Our Volunteers
We couldn’t have pulled off such a fantastic night without the help of some amazing volunteers. A huge thank you goes out to Ivar the Micro and Melissa, who took time out of their schedules and volunteered their time and talent to make the event extra special. Your contributions truly made a difference, and we’re so grateful for all that you did.
We also want to thank our roadies: Chris Martin, Chris Bovay, and Eddie Campbell for their hard work behind the scenes, keeping everything running smoothly. You guys are the backbone of what we do, and we couldn’t do it without you.
Merchandise sellers Melody Engel, Lisa Bovay, and Christina Martin did an amazing job handling our merch and keeping the crowd excited with some awesome band gear.
And a special shoutout to Cat Mues for being the emcee and keeping the energy high all night long. You kept the crowd hyped, and we loved your presence!
Night of Music and Giving
We also want to express our gratitude to the Marines, who collected all the donated toys for the Toys for Tots campaign and will help make Christmas morning a little brighter for kids in need. Thanks to everyone who donated, we collected over 10 full boxes of toys! Your generosity is amazing, and we couldn’t have done it without you.
Santa and Mrs. Claus also made a special appearance, spreading some extra holiday cheer throughout the night. The crowd loved it, and it definitely made the show feel even more magical!
Also, big thanks to Michael Myers, Frankenstein, and the little werewolf who joined us for some creepy fun during our set. You guys made the night extra festive and spooky!
Looking Ahead
The night wasn’t just about great music; it was about giving back and coming together as a community. Thank you to Red Flag, for hosting the event at their awesome venue, and to Bob and the sound crew for making sure the sound and lights were on point all night long. You guys went above and beyond, and we appreciate it!
And last but certainly not least, Cause of Ruin and The Nightmare, we can’t thank you enough for sharing the stage with us. We had an amazing time, and we can’t wait to return the favor and play for your crowds one day! We look forward to seeing you again soon.
Rock on,
Torchlight Parade 💀🎸
