WILLIAMSBURG — New York bands are giving back to The Yellow Dogs, the Iranian band whose former bandmate shot and killed two of their members and their close friend in their East Williamsburg home.
An international lineup, featuring well-known local acts like Nada Surf as well as bands from Iran and New Zealand will play a benefit show at the Brooklyn Bowl Monday.
“We will not let this disgusting brutality define us or become our story,” The Yellow Dogs said in a written statement that appeared Wednesday.
The victims of the Nov. 10 shooting included Yellow Dogs members and brothers Arash and Soroush Farazmand as well as their roommate and musician friend Ali Eskandarian.
Arash had received political asylum from Iran shortly before the shooting, the release said. His brother Soroush was working on new material and Eskandarian was nearly finished with his memoir, according to the statement.
Ali Akbar Mohammedi Rafie, the shooter who turned the rifle on himself after apparently shooting the three, briefly played bass for the band but had been dropped over because of “personal and musical differences” over a year ago.
The murder-suicide happened just after midnight Sunday when Rafie climbed onto the roof of 318 Maujer St. where The Yellow Dogs lived and practiced. Armed with a Century Sporter .308 caliber rifle, he leapt onto a third-floor landing and shot into the apartment, an NYPD spokesman said.
Rafie fired through a window and killed Eskandarian. Then he climbed through the broken window, walked into the third floor and fatally shot Arash Farazmand in the head, police said.
The spree continued when Rafie walked down to the second floor where he shot Sourosh Farazmand in the chest, police said.
All proceeds from the Brooklyn Bowl show will go to the victims and families affected. You can donate here.
Performers also includ Shirin Neshat, Hamish Kilgour (of The Clean), Kyp Malone (TVOTR), and more. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the bands start at 7 p.m., at 61 Wythe Ave.
