Sat. June 23

 Say what you will about musicians - all those tawdry stories, all that debauchery - they tend to be a giving-back bunch. Benefits are in the blood. They've certainly been in drummer Peter Hackel's system since 9/11. His step-mother Paige Hackel was flying on one of the planes that crashed into the World Trade Center. "When Paige was killed I tried to rally behind the causes I thought she'd believe in," says Peter. "I first did that show for the Victory Program that Steve Tyler came out for." Hackel has since done 30-40 more and has a big one planned Saturday June 23 at Bentley College in Waltham. It's called "Music for Middlesex V," and the all-day event (tickets $10-$100) benefits the Middlesex Human Service Agencies 13 social services programs that assist families in trouble. It was a cause, Peter says, close to Paige's heart. Peter says the agency never had to raise funds, but suffered severe governmnental cutbacks and fund-raising is now a necessity.
   
"It is a lot of work," says Peter, who plays with ex J.Geils Band bassist Danny Klein's band, Full House. "I have learned much along the way and feel fulfilled with what it seems to give others including a wonderful evening of music and comradeship. This year we are presenting an all day and night festival with over 40 bands which should be interesting and again another new experience for all of us. We are excited about the event being at Bentley College and have a good cross section of entertainment with something for everyone. We were looking for a venue where we could create a festival atmosphere, make it affordable, all-ages, closer to the Boston metro area. And it's in the  hometown of Middlesex Agency." The show begins at noon outdoors, in a "gorgeous" football field sized spot, which can fit more than 3000 people. (Picnic people are encouraged. They include the cool all-kid punk-pop band the Mystery Tramps, as well as the old boss of Boomtown, Rex Trailer. (Ask your grandparents, kids.) The evening entertainment is in the 500-seat Koumantzeletis Theatre with the Fools, Danny Klein's Full House, Belleview Cadillac, Charlie Farren and Orpheum Reborn. Our old pal, Carter Alan, from WZLX will emcee. Tickets range from $10 (outdoor) to $50 (in and out) to $100 (all access, dinner, VIP reception.)

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