In Honor is the brainchild of Timmy Hansell, the media/promotions manager for Vagrant Records, who lost his mother to breast cancer in February 2004. He decided to get a bunch of kick-ass bands together and create a compilation full of new and unreleased material in an effort to raise money for cancer. Backed by the label, the result is In Honor -- a compilation dedicated to the lives and memories of Sean McGrath, Syrentha Savio, and Doris Hansell.

But if you already have the compilation, this is old news -– there’s an intro by Mighty Mighty Bosstones frontman Dicky Barett. And with 42 bands contributing, there’s something for everyone on this two-disc set. Old-school punk rockers can get nostalgic as they listen to Jawbreaker’s live and previously unreleased version of “Kiss the Bottle.” Bouncing Souls fans will appreciate the live version of “True Believers,” and fans of Milo will dig “One More Day,” a new tune by The Descendents on their 2004 Cool to Be You album. In addition, those who were saddened by the recent retirement of Face to Face will be eager to hear one of the band’s final songs, “Coming Out of Nowhere.”

Other bands helping to knock out cancer are Taking Back Sunday, Thursday, Piebald, Motion City Soundtrack, and Jamison Parker. Many have also contributed due to personal experience or involvement with charity organizations. Thrice, a big supporter of the Syrentha Savio Endowment (SSE), features a beautiful and rare acoustic version of “Stare at the Sun.” Saves the Day also shares a previously unreleased tune, titled “Don’t Go Outside.” Sean McGrath, who passed away from cancer in June 2004, is not only one of the people who inspired this compilation, but one of the founding members of Saves the Day.

The compilation also showcases a grip of new talent, including “Curtain Call” by Florida rockers Moments in Grace, the piano version of “The War” by Melee, the acoustic version of “Existentialism on Prom Night” by Straylight Run, and a live version of “Headfirst for Halos” by My Chemical Romance. In addition, your ears will be exposed to many new bands, such as Vagrant’s newly signed band Emanuel, who stands out with their song “The Hey Man.”

Knowing the story behind a two-disc set of knockout music that retails for $12.99, it’s hard to pass by it in a record store and not buy it. The sale proceeds benefit two cancer-related organizations: The Sean McGrath Fund and the Syrentha Savio Endowment (SSE). So go out, do a good deed, and treat yourself to the In Honor compilation. You’ll feel good about it, and your ears and the people benefiting from your donation will thank you.

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