Karma Mechanics plan a rocking benefit for the Olingers

Montreat College track coach Britten Olinger and his family have been working together on his recovery since a devastating high speed traffic accident in downtown Black Mountain that left him with severe spinal injuries.

The community has rallied around the Olingers, but there are ongoing financial pressures. The Karma Mechanics, a local rock band, are pitching in with a benefit for Olinger and his family at the White Horse Black Mountain at 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 14.

The Karma Mechanics discovered a shared love for classic rock as participants at White Horse open mic nights and the formation of a band was the result.  White Horse owner Bob Hinkle calls their sound “rough-edged rock with a brain." 

At their first show former Lynyrd Skynyrd drummer Artimus Pyle came out of the audience to jam with the band, so they must be on to something.

The group plays mostly original music inspired by no-frills rock heroes like Neil Young, the Stones, Skynyrd, the Ramones and Iggy Pop.

Their website says the Karma Mechanics aim to “sing some simple truths that people can understand, to play it so people can dance…and to have a rocking good time and laugh and laugh while you’re doing it.”

The band includes Hamza Vandehay on lead guitar, Dave Landy on vocals and rhythm guitar, Dan Toomey on bass and Scott Safford on drums.

Joining the Karma Mechanics will be The Holden Dixon Band.

The band’s namesake is an Asheville singer-songwriter who was previously the founder and lead singer for the band Seaborn.

Dixon is a freelance songwriter, producer and touring performer who cites John Mayer, Adam Young, Nick Littlemore, John Mellencamp and Kenny Loggins as influences.