Music community drums up support for one of its own

By Alan Madeliene
Hamtramck has long had a reputation as a giving and charitable town. That rep will be put to the test once again this coming Saturday, when the Painted Lady Lounge will host a benefit evening for one of its former residents, Bob Mulrooney, aka “Bootsey X.”
Mulrooney has either sang or drummed for a number of local area bands since the late 70s. He began as a drummer for the Ramrods, and also played, notably, for Coldcock. He has shared the stage with members of such musical luminaries as the Stooges and the Dead Boys. He is perhaps best known for fronting the white punk soul outfit the Lovemasters under his “Bootsey X” pseudonym.
In October of last year, however, he was diagnosed with a tumor of the brain. Some of his longtime musician friends have put together this benefit to help him defray some of his mounting medical costs.
But beyond the fundraising aspect, it is also being billed as a celebration of his musical past. One of the highlights is sure to come from Jerry Vile’s one-night-only resurrection of his notorious goof-punk project The Boners; Vile himself is now most well-known as the driving force behind the twice-yearly Dirty Art Show, and the Boners traditionally operate within the same sleazy niche.
Other familiar names slated to play include Timmy’s Organism, The Meltdowns, Dale Beavers, the Space Heaters, and even Mulrooney’s own backing band, the Lovemasters. Adding to the festivities will be the Cats in Bags Dancers.
Things get rolling at 8 p.m. at the Painted Lady (the former Lilli’s 21) at 2930 Jacob St., on the first block east off of Jos. Campau across from the Hamtramck Town Center.