Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band introduced themselves to the world via cryptic YouTube videos. They made their own CD cozies for the Weepy EP, they had their own soap, their own Molly Moon's ice cream flavor, they randomly send fans postcards in the mail, and next month they'll continuing doing a bunch of shit most other bands are too lazy to do by performing on the famous volcano they're named after, Mount St. Helens.

Dead Oceans recording artists Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band will host a special benefit concert on August 15, 2009 at the Mount St. Helens Institute, the non-profit arm of Mount St. Helens Monument (a US Forestry site). Dollars raised at this event will go to build new exhibits within the various public observatories at the Mount St. Helens Monument, in advance of the 30th anniversary of the volcano's eruption. As part of these pre-anniversary festivities, MSHVB will be guided by the Mount St. Helens Monument's leading scientists to various sites throughout the monument, such as the pumice fields, and Mount St. Helens southern ridge, which was blown-off during the historic eruption. This event also marks the first time a band has ever played a volcano in the continental United States.

Tickets at $25 (buy them at mshvbconcert.eventbrite.com). And before the show, Dr. John Bishop will discuss the area's changing landscape since the 1980 eruption. And for an additional $10, you can go on a guided six-mile hike with views of Mount St. Helens, Spirit Lake, and the Pumice Plain.

What will these wacky kids come up with next?

Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band - "Cheer For Fate"

Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band - "Anchors Dropped"