Rather than fighting each other in the semi-annual Battle of the Bands, local acts Eutychus Falls, The Visit, and Waxdolls are teaming up for a benefit to take on cerebral palsy at Detours tonight.

Cerebral palsy is usually caused by prenatal brain defects and damage to the brain during birth. It is characterized by involuntary movements and a difficulty in controlling the voluntary muscles. Victims sometimes are not able to walk, talk, hold up their head or use their hands. An estimated 700,000 people have cerebral palsy in the U.S.

It is a condition, not a disease, said Jamie Wall, the fundraising coordinator for the United Cerebral Palsy of Southern Illinois, a Centralia-based organization that serves 27 counties in Southern Illinois.

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People are under the impression that it is a disease, but it is really a condition that people suffer from and have very little control over, she said.

Tom Miller, drummer for Eutychus Falls, is a physical therapist who has worked with people who have cerebral palsy.

The show is kind of a cool one for me, Miller said. It is a little personal because I have worked with people who suffer from cerebral palsy.

Three good bands, only $2 and it is for a really good cause, Shawn Dawson, lead singer and guitarist for Waxdolls, said.

In addition to the concert, WCIL will broadcast and give away free T-shirts and CDs.

It is a good cause, and it is something we are happy to get involved with, said Andrew Zepeda, program director at WCIL.

The bands are performing for free, and all the money from the cover will be donated to the United Cerebral Palsy of Southern Illinois, Frank Arokiasamy, owner of Detours, said.

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The United Cerebral Palsy of Southern Illinois helps those afflicted get money for wheelchairs and other equipment they might need. The organization also provides a free clinic for cerebral palsy patients in Mt. Vernon.

The clinic is really one of kind, Wall said. It is the only one of its kind.

Eutychus Falls, The Visit and Waxdolls play at 9:00 p.m. at Detours, 760 E. Grand Ave. Doors will open at 8:00 p.m. The cover is $2.