It's Latin for "Black Scorpion"

By Tankboy in Arts & Entertainment on Nov 7, 2007 9:50PM

We first heard of Acrassicauda through a story on NPR, describing the trials and tribulations of these heavy metal band of Iraqi refugees. They were recently hunkered down in Damascus, but got out in the nick of time when Syria started ejecting all Iraqi refugees, and not the group is in Istanbul ... trying their damndest to keep from getting sent back to Bagdhad.

VICE has sort of taken the group under its wing and is organizing fundraisers to keep the band as safe as a band on the run can be. Money raised goes towards travel and survival expenses for the group.

Tonight one of those fundraisers takes place in Chicago, at The Continental. There is no admission fee, but donations will be welcome. Gift packs donated by Hydrahead, VICE, and other parties will be raffled off throughout the evening.

The event is from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. and will feature DJ sets by members of Pelican, Russian Circles, and as-yet unannounced guests.