Smashing Pumpkins concert to benefit recovering Fremd grad
First it was a group of neurosurgeons who saved Matthew Leone's life after he was left for dead following a brutal attack last month in Chicago. Now, it's fellow rockers like Billy Corgan stepping up from a tightknit Chicago music community and beyond.
A series of upcoming benefit concerts, starting July 27 with frontman Corgan's Smashing Pumpkins, will help pay the Madina Lake bassist and 1993 Fremd High School graduate's extensive medical bills.
"This outpouring from different artists is both humbling and mind-blowing," twin brother and Madina Lake singer Nathan Leone said. "It's saving Matthew."
Matthew, 35, the son of Inverness dermatologist Giulio Leone, was on his way to meet a friend for a drink early July 29 on the 1300 block of Ohio Street in Chicago when he came across a man severely beating his wife. Police said 33-year-old Justin Pivec of Chicago turned on Leone for trying to intervene in the domestic violence dispute, punching, kicking and rendering him unconscious.
Surgeons had to remove a portion of Leone's skull due to massive head injuries and swelling. Nathan said Matthew went stir crazy in the hospital and was allowed to recover at home over the last couple weeks, but returned to the hospital a few days ago so doctors could reattach the bone and install a titanium plate in his head. He could be released any day.
"He's been so calm, cool and collected about everything and for the first time, I feel like we're finally coming out of the woods," Nathan said. "He's in much better shape today than before (the second surgery). He's all there now."
Still, it could be a year before the side effects of the attack are fully known, be it memory loss or some other form of brain damage. And Matthew's health insurance lapsed while he was on tour, just two months before the attack.
Pivec, the man accused of attacking Matthew, was charged with aggravated battery causing great bodily harm. He's out on bail after posting the required 10 percent of his $125,000 bond. His next court date is July 29 at a branch court located at 3150 W. Flournoy St., Chicago.
All proceeds of the upcoming concerts benefit the Matthew Leone Fund. Also helping is Sweet Relief, a nonprofit group that helps career musicians struggling to make ends meet due to illness, disability or age-related problems.
To see the July 27 Smashing Pumpkins show at the Metro in Chicago, fans must purchase a $10 raffle ticket online at metrochicago.com by 2 p.m. Saturday, July 24. One raffle ticket buys a chance to win two tickets to the show, and buying multiple raffle tickets increases the chance of winning. VIP packages guaranteeing access to the show are sold out. The venue seats 1,150 people.
Benefit concerts will also take place Aug. 21 at Double Door and Aug. 22 at the Hard Rock Hotel. Four or five bands will play each show including Kill Hannah and Scott Lucas of Local H. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Artists such as Madonna, Metallica, Pete Wentz and Lady Gaga have donated items for an auction. For more information, go to throughthepain.org.
Though they share some mutual friends, the Leones have never met the Smashing Pumpkins aside from two brief encounters years ago - one at a record store, the other at the airport. That's why they're in awe the group stepped up for such a charitable cause.
"I know it's a cliché, but I feel like this is a battle between good and evil, and evil is getting creamed," Nathan said. "It was a horrific act that's been overshadowed by so much beauty."
After Madina Lakes heads to the United Kingdom next week without Matthew for a big festival, the band will return to Chicago to start recording its third album. Nathan has no doubt that his brother will play a key role in the writing, recording and eventual tour.