Founded by Asian Man Records’ Mike Park in 1999, the Plea for Peace tour is a non-profit traveling indie/punk all-star tour that “promotes the ideas of peace through the power of music.” Previous tour lineups have featured everyone from Dillinger Escape Plan, Cursive, The (International) Noise Conspiracy and even Park himself. This year, the typically large-scale event is taking a much different form: starting in September, the performers (Matt Skiba of Alkaline Trio, members of Lawrence Arms, and tons more) for this year’s Plea for Peace will be touring via bicycle. Scheduled to pass through Portland on the 12th of September, the tour will be the first large scale event of its kind to travel this way, with all proceeds to benefit the construction of a new youth center in San Jose, CA. Founder and performer Mike Park talks about the details.
In a time where packaged tours grow larger and larger in scale, this is a pretty drastic change. What made you think of the idea of a multi-band bike tour?
Being an avid bike rider, I’ve always wanted to ride down the coast. The idea struck me when a neighbor came by asking for donations for his school walk-a-thon to raise money for cancer research. I thought “Why not do the same thing with a bike-a-thon, but with our guitars, playing concerts on the way”?
Punk musicians aren’t typically known for their physical attributes; think everyone can make it from Seattle to LA?
Most definitely. My core training has been riding my bike to the market every other day, so I know I’m in for a rude awakening when reality hits. We’ll make it though. I can guarantee that.
It’s just a West Coast tour for now–any plans to expand the tour to other parts of the country?
We’ll see how this ride goes. I’d love to see as much of the US as possible via bicycle. Perhaps a ride down the east coast next year? Hmmm… that’s depending if we survive this ride.
How will the equipment be transferred? Willthey be full-band concerts, or acoustic shows with those taking part in the biking?
We aren’t 100% decided on whether or not we will be playing acoustic or have the ability to set up a full rock show. But we will have a support vehicle carrying our camping gear, bags, extra bike parts, etc.
If people want to donate bicycle equipment, or money, to Plea for Peace and the tour, whom should they contact?
You can make a tax-deductible donation by visiting our website at http://www.pleaforpeace.com.