Foul Taste of Freedom

Rendezvous owner Jimmy Green remembers when he heard the news that Rusty Larabee had died. A few guys who were in local bands were talking about it in his bar. Then the group began talking about Larabee’s family and it spawned an idea.

“They talked about doing a benefit show for his family,” Green recalls. “And I said, ‘We’ll do it here.’ Just let me know what weekend you want to do it.”

After a couple of months of planning, two shows were arranged. The first is at 9 p.m. tonight and features the bands Foul Taste of Freedom and IT. The WOO Band, Cognitive Overload and Full Power will rock the ‘Vous at 9 p.m. Saturday night. The cover charge is $3 and will benefit the Larabee family.

Rusty Larabee died unexpectedly on May 13. He was 30. Larabee worked as a custom picture framer for J. Franklin Gallery for 11 years, but many in St. Joe knew him as a talented and dedicated drummer and songwriter for several local bands, most notably the bluesy metal group Sinfrastructure.

He will be remembered by those closest to him as a great friend and family man.

“I just miss his overwhelming love for everything he did, whether it was his family or his music.” says Sinfrastructure’s rhythm guitarist Corey Amen.

Larabee wasn’t just fond of his own band. He passionately supported many local groups. One in particular was Full Power. In fact, a Full Power T-shirt was buried with him. Full Power singer/guitarist Todd Cooper says it was a humbling moment, and he’ll always remember Larabee as genuine and supportive.

“To see him in his casket with a shirt of ours, I, I can’t describe it. No one would appreciate the show this weekend more than that guy,” Cooper says.

Full Power amicably broke up a year ago, but will re-unite for one night only Saturday in support of the Larabees and their friends.

“We’d been thinking of doing another show and Rusty was such a huge fan,” says Cooper, who is also in the band IT. “It all fit, you know.”

As for Sinfrastructure, the band is taking some time off. However, Amen says Rusty’s nephew, Cody Larabee, will take over on drums and the band will continue. For now, the band is focusing on the events this weekend and supporting each other.

“It’s not about Rusty. It’s about two of the things he loves: His family and local music,” Amen says. “Coming out to the shows would be helping his legacy.”