Recently-signed band Dakona, currently hard at work on their debut album for Maverick Recording Company, will take a break from recording to headline a benefit concert to help teen suicide prevention. The event takes place May 26th at The Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, NY, just outside of New York City. Proceeds from the concert will go to the Mental Health Association of Westchester, NY, Teen Suicide Prevention Program.
Dakona’s concern for the issue of teen suicide prevention stems from last year’s suicide death of a fan of the band’s in Vancouver. Earlier this year, the band staged an SRO benefit concert in Canada to raise money for teen suicide prevention.
Founded in 1997 by first cousins Ryan McAllister (lead vocals) and John Biondolillo (drums), Dakona has emerged as one of the northwest’s most forceful and popular bands. Lead guitarist Brook Wistanley, bassist Shane Dueck, and keyboardist Jess Bouma round out the line-up. In 2000, the Vancouver, B.C.-based band recorded and self-produced their independent album debut, ‘Ordinary Heroes,’ catching the attention of Eric Godtland Management (Third Eye Blind, The KGB), which then came aboard as Dakona’s management team.
Over the course of their existence, the band has shared the bill with such bands as Biff Naked, SR-71, Unified Theory, P.O.D., MxPx and others.