In the 1980s, John Stabb brought satirical humor to the D.C. hardcore scene, leading his band Government Issue through chaotically funny stage shows dressed in garishly psychedelic clothes.

But no one was laughing when word made its way through the punk community that on July 17 Stabb was assaulted by a group of young men outside his apartment in Montgomery County.

The 46-year-old performer required four hours of facial reconstructive surgery and a day's stay in Washington Hospital Center. He calls the assault, in which he was not robbed, a "punch-and-run."

"One guy was showing off," he says. "It almost seems like they pinpointed certain areas of my face."

To help Stabb with medical costs, promoter Marc Ganancias has pulled together a benefit that will feature D.C.'s Pup Tent, Lorelei, the Saviors and Dave Smalley, formerly of Dag Nasty. There is an eBay auction of Government Issue memorabilia, and author George Hurchalla is donating proceeds from the second printing of his book "Going Underground: American Punk 1979-1992."

Stabb is already back at work at his job at a hardware store ("I traded hardcore for hardware," he quips), but now has several metal plates in his face and is temporarily restricted to a liquid diet.

"The support from people has been incredibly moving," Stabb says. "My work insurance is not going to pay for anything. People keep writing me and saying they just saw the movie 'Sicko' and this makes them so mad."

--Tony Sclafani (Express, August 9, 2007)