Local band looking to aid local homeless youths

As Yet Unbroken, a band born in North Las Vegas, hopes to drop an album and raise awareness for teenage homelessness during the group's return to a live stage.

The funk, rock and soul-inspired, alt-rock metal band is set to debut its first full-length CD "Unknown " at 7 p.m. Friday at Theatre7 , 1406 S. Third S t.

A suggested $5 donation collected at the door, as well as $1 from each copy of "Unknown" sold, is set to benefit Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth , a nonprofit organization with a mission to eliminate homelessness among Nevada's youth.

In addition, the band is asking guests to bring personal items on the partnership's wish list, such as weather-appropriate girls' and boys' apparel, hygiene products and nonperishable foods and beverages.

"It's easy to collect $5 at the door or donate a portion of CD sales, but it's also about donating items they really need," said guitarist Pj Perez. "I go to the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth drop-in center, and their clothing closet and their food bank aren't very well stocked. It's enough to get by, but they could use more."

Perez -- at the time, the drummer -- founded the band with vocalist Tim Beck and bassist Mark Zeilman in a North Las Vegas garage in 2007. The group played local venues and got radio play via tracks from a rough-cut demo. "Unknown" is the band's first full-length project.

The album title was runner-up for the band name during the group's inception, Perez said.

"In sort of a way, it also would have worked because we're an unknown band trying to be known," he said. "I don't think there is a plan to become rock stars. The idea is to get the CD out there and see what the reaction is and measure the demand."

The band's charity of choice looks forward to reaching new audiences, as well.

"Fundraisers like this, in my opinion, are a fantastic opportunity for NPHY," said partnership spokeswoman Melissa Jacobowitz . "It's always wonderful when someone in the community approaches us with clever and creative ideas that may connect us with new parts of the community and audiences."

The William Fry Drop-In Center, 4981 Shirley St. , is the hub of activity for the service organization, Jacobowitz said. Teens visit during regular hours to hang out, receive immediate-need services such as food and water and meet with case managers to get them on the road to self-sufficiency.

The food bank and clothing giveaways are funded solely by donations, she said.

Perez said the band wasn't satisfied with a blasé CD release party or to "make it another night at a bar."

"We didn't want to do that without having a good reason," Perez said. "Especially now, the organization needs money coming directly to it."

Free refreshments are to be served.

NPHY's wish list can be found at nphy.org .

For more information, visit asyetunbrokenmusic.com or bit.ly/ayumedia .

Contact Centennial and North Las Vegas View reporter Maggie Lillis at mlillis@viewnews.com or 477-3839.