Music For Marsee: The D-Man Festival in Redondo Beach

The 6th Annual D-Man Festival made it’s appearance at The Sea Side Lagoon this past Saturday and drew over 1,000 people out to not only support local bands and culture, but to also support a great cause. The D-Man Festival was so aptly named after Darren “D-Man” Marsee, who unfortunately passed away in 2005 after a brief battle with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. After his passing, Darren’s loved ones and his former

Tomorrow's Bad Seeds

Tomorrow’s Bad Seeds © Amanda Graziano

employer, Dive N’ Surf, started the festival in order to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Since it was first started in 2006 the festival has raised over $82,000, and with every passing year it grows in size. With such sponsors as Volcom, Body Glove and the ever so important Dive N’ Surf, as well as a line up of local bands, the event has become a staple in the lives of South Bay locals.
Sean Chapman, a South Bay local and the guitarist for Tomorrows Bad Seeds, says that the band makes a “note to keep the date open every year for the D-Man Festival,” not only to support their friend Darren’s cause, but also to give back to their community. “There aren’t really all ages venues in South Bay” says Sean, “so kids never really get to see a lot of shows, especially ours.”

D-Man Festival

D-Man Festival © Amanda Graziano

That’s where the D-Man Festival comes in. It creates the perfect environment for people of all ages and from all walks of life to come out and have a good time. With live music, food, games and giveaways,

the D-Man Festival has something for everyone. Jenny “Looney” Lane, a friend of Darren’s states that “preserving surf culture’s what we’re here to d o.” Surf culture by nature is the easy going celebration of life and the D-Man Festival is exactly that.

Although it may have been born out of tragedy, the D-Man Festival flourishes in the spirit of life. It’s no longer just an event that raises money to help find a cure; it’s become an event that also raises awareness and support for the community itself.

Steven Ingraham, the lead singer of West Swell, along with his band mates, made it very clear how much it meant to them to “support local music.” West Swell sold close to 100 tickets for the event. Marcus Vicari, who’s the bassist for West Swell added that “D-Man was the first concert that [he] went to two years ago” so he’s “proud and happy to be playing for friends” this year. Sean of TBS also reiterated that same notion when he said, “I’ll speak on behalf of the band. We love where we live; we love where we’re from.”
So South Bay, be proud. Support local; support life.

Thanks Amanda Graziano for the articles AND pics!