DANVILLE — Eight bands will join forces to honor the lives of those lost in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, in what is being called the “Salute to the Fallen, Rock and Metal Festival.”

Jake Serd, bass player for the band, Flightrisk, wanted to put together a music festival and was considering a weekend in October. He then noticed that Sept. 11 of this year fell on a Saturday.

“9/11 always hits me deep in the heart,” he said. Serd was serving in the Air Force and stationed in Arizona when the attacks took place.

“I didn’t want Sept. 11 to pass by as just a normal day,” Serd said. “What a great way to ‘never forget’ than to celebrate the fallen in a respectful and classy way?”

K-Rock Radio DJ, Ken Kirby, was one of the first people to whom Serd brought the concept.

“I thought it was a good idea,” Kirby said. “It’s a good way for the local music scene to pay tribute to the heroes and victims of 9/11.”

As the process of assembling bands and sponsors for the event continued, Serd took note of how smooth the process was compared to other festivals he has put together.

“As soon as people heard what the show was about, they jumped right on board,” he said. “They are all excited about it. People still caring that much about 9/11 means a lot to me.”

Bands performing will be Spawn of Discord, Somber, Braille, Degrade the Signal, Verdict, Slow Intentional Damage, Flightrisk and Diecast.

Serd is equally impressed with the sponsors. In addition to K-Rock, sponsors include Gaudio & Sons, Bryant Industries, DSP Studios, Todd’s Autobody and N’Kahoots.

“They have been a big help,” he said. “If it wasn’t for sponsors like that, we couldn’t do a show like this.”

The concert will be headlined by the band Diecast from Boston, Mass. Diecast has toured with many big names, including Alice Cooper and Sevendust and its song “Singled Out” was featured on the UFC Fighting Championship video game.

Diecast has been writing and working on new material.

“They are taking a short break to tour for the next month before returning to Boston to begin recording their new album,” Serd said.

“They are a great pick as headliner,” Kirby said. “They have had national exposure and are on the brink of going bigger.”

The show is for all ages. The bands will perform in the banquet room at Sarge’s Tap separate from the bar. Those 21 and older wanting to drink will be given a stamp and wristband. Sarge’s will have a full grill available with food available for purchase.

The show will start at 5 p.m. with the guitar player for Spawn of Discord kicking off the event by playing the Star-Spangled Banner.

Though 9/11 won’t always fall on the weekend, Serd would like to see the show continue year to year. “People can plan on this being an annual thing.”

“There will be several different events going on for 9/11,” Kirby said. “This is another piece of showing patriotism. It’s great to be a part of something like this.”

FYI

The Salute to the Fallen, Rock and Metal Festival will be at 5 p.m. Saturday at Sarge’s Tap. Tickets are available at Chart Records. Sarge’s Tap and K-Rock will run promotions to give away tickets all week. Ticket prices are $10 each, however, those with a military, police or firefighter ID pay $5 at the door.Bands and show times:

--5-5:30 p.m., Spawn of Discord

--5:45-6:15 p.m., Somber

--6:30-7 p.m., Braille

--7:15-7:45 p.m., Degrade the Signal

--8-8:35 p.m., Slow Intentional Damage

--8:50-9:25 p.m., Verdict

--9:40-10:15 p.m., Flightrisk

--10:30-11:30 p.m., Diecast