This month, Ballard music fans will still have the chance to wake-up with ringing ears and a pounding hangover after a night of live music. But coupled with those usual pains, will be a warm and satisfying feeling knowing they rocked out to help those less fortunate than themselves.

Noise for the Needy, a nonprofit concert event, is back for its sixth year in Seattle with shows at four venues in Ballard and Fremont.

This year, profits from shows at the Tractor Tavern, the Sunset Tavern, Conor Byrne, the High Dive and other venues around the city will go to Transition Resources, a mental health center based in West Seattle that provides services for adults with mental illnesses.

Shane Tutmarc, who plays June 11 at the Sunset, is in his second year as part of event. He said playing music for a cause brings out the best in everyone, and Noise for the Needy is one of the best-run music festivals he has been a part of.

"The usual attitudes or egos are left at the door," Tutmarc said. "Everyone seems to bring a little more purpose and fun to the table."

Noise for the Needy was started by Seattle-native Dave Green while at school in California. For more than a decade, Green put on the event to benefit a local soup kitchen.

In 2004, Dave's brother Richard Green, with the help of Jeff Henry, brought Noise for the Needy to Seattle.

What started as a one-day, four-band concert at Nectar Lounge in Fremont has turned into a five-day, all-city event, with bands from as far away as Norway and the United Kingdom participating.

Noise for the Needy 2009 runs from June 10 to June 14. Visit the Noise for the Needy Web site for the full schedule.