Like many, I first saw Andrew Foard standing outside Hell’s Kitchen. The show was 21+, and Andrew wasn’t yet 21. But he was there anyway, as close as he could legally get, and he became a fixture.



After coming to know Andrew as the kid hanging outside Hell’s Kitchen, I came to know Andrew as the leader of Durango 95. Durango 95 hit Tacoma like a brisk backhand, hard enough to sting and slap some sense into you at the same time. The band was young and punk. Durango 95 was pure rock ’n’ roll, a quality exuded from Andrew in healthy doses.



Young and old within Tacoma’s music scene took note of Andrew and Durango 95, with the band garnering the respect of prominent music-scene players like Flash from Hell’s Kitchen and the iconic Girl Trouble. Everyone saw something special in Andrew.



On March 30, Andrew Foard finally turned 21. Judging solely by the hours he put in standing outside Hell’s Kitchen in the years leading up to his birthday, it was a day he’d been looking forward to for a long time.



After working his shift at Farrelli’s Pizza, Andrew Foard did what most people would expect him to do. He celebrated his birthday. Later that night, Andrew’s mom found Andrew passed out on the floor — but this was more than a typical scene from a 21st birthday party. Andrew, a diabetic, had fallen into a diabetic coma. He was taken to the hospital and today remains at St. Joseph’s. Though Andrew is out of his coma, and working on regaining speech and motor skills, there are still many months of recovery ahead before he will be back to normal. To doctors, who have raised the possibility of permanent brain damage, a full recovery for Andrew is not guaranteed. To friends and loved ones who know Andrew, the sentiment is quite different.



“This is one of those things that’s going to take a real fighter to get over, but Andrew is a guy who’s up to the task,” says Girl Trouble drummer Bon Von Wheelie.



“Andrew is going to be somebody. He’s got the talent and personality and smarts. I planned on watching Andrew do great things in his life and I still do.”



The news of Andrew’s condition spread quickly through Tacoma’s tight knit music scene, causing many to think about the way Andrew has touched them, and inspiring many to take action. It wasn’t long until Flash had organized two benefit shows at Hell’s Kitchen. This Friday, April 25 Girl Trouble, Dirty Knockers, I Defy, and Sok and the Faggots will play for a 21+ crowd, and Saturday, April 26 Space Creatures from the Year 3000, the Cute Lepers, the Freakouts and Toxic Peanuts will play an all-ages show. All the money collected through the cover charges and raffles will be donated to Andrew’s mom and the family’s mounting medical bills.



“We’d heard about Durango 95 as being the new hot band in town. Of course this peaked our interest,” says Von Wheelie.



“We sort of met Andrew when we’d go to Hell’s Kitchen. You couldn’t help but notice him. Then later we got to play with Durango 95. Now there’s a tough act to follow! They were in full force and on top of their game. It was impressive, especially to watch Andrew in action. I just thought to myself, damn, that kid is a star!”



“He just started showing up outside even before we were doing all-ages shows,” remembers Flash. “None of us knew him before that. You could tell he truly liked music and just wanted to be around it and involved in any way.”



“Durango 95 had a young fresh sound, and Andrew was a great front man. Tons of charisma. Not unlike a late ’70s Stooges. We set up the benefits to help out a friend. The bands are mainly made up of friends of Andrew’s and bands he would want to see. The response so far has been great. Tacoma’s music community and beyond is bonding together for this. Andrew has a very positive attitude and loves to help people in any way he can, so everyone is just doing what they know he would do for them.”



Jooley Heaps, the former owner of Lady J’s vintage clothing on Sixth Avenue, like most everyone, met Andrew at Hell’s Kitchen. It wasn’t long before she put the magnetic punk rocker to work and became a lifelong friend. Heaps considers Andrew like a little brother, and has watched his daily progress from his hospital room at St. Joseph’s.



“People are drawn to him because even at such a young age he showed such a love for the music scene and the people that frequent it. He has a good soul. He has a talent with music that is amazing. He rocks it like a motherf******,” says Heaps.



“There was a point where I didn’t know if he’d ever be the same. I worried for his family and was distraught at the thought that I would lose my friend. But I did not give up on him, and neither have the many friends that come to see him. He finally is making leaps and bounds as far as progress goes. Honestly at this point I do not know if he sustained any brain damage from the diabetic coma, but seeing him making progress is just incredible.”



Two benefits for Andrew Foard of Durango 95 will happen this weekend at Hell’s Kitchen — a 21+ show on Friday night and an all-ages show Saturday. Check out weeklyvolcano. com for more information on ways to donate.



[Hell’s Kitchen, benefits for Andrew Foard, Friday, April 25: Girl Trouble, Dirty Knockers, I Defy, Sok & The Faggots, 9 p.m., $5; Saturday, April 26: Space Creatures From The Year 3000, The cute lepers, The Freakouts, Toxic Peanuts, 5 p.m., all ages, $8; 3829 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003]