A charity gig aiming to blow fans away at Hitchin’s Club 85 on Saturday night is a real labour of love – and not just a love of music.
The three bands on the bill at the Whinbush Road venue will be trying to raise awareness about the work of the Stevenage-based addiction aid charity The Living Room and raise some cash for the cause, too.
It will only cost fans a fiver to catch The Sleep Deepers, the Foul Anchors and Black Sheep, and organiser Neil Webb hopes that bargain rate will attract a bumper crowd and boost the charity’s coffers.
Neil, who also plays guitar with the Foul Anchors, said: “The Living Room helps people with drug and alcohol addictions and eating disorders, among other problems.
“Saturday would have been my mother’s 55th birthday.
“She passed away 10 years ago last August and after years of struggle with anorexia, bulimia and alcoholism.
“Because of what they do to help others in similar situations The Living Room seemed the perfect organisation to try to help out, while also doing what we love – playing music.
“Please come down, enjoy the night and show some support.
“Anyone who wishes to donate to The Living Room can email me at neilowebb@hotmail.co.uk, donate on the night or contact The Living Room directly.”
Black Sheep are billed as a 21st century blues band with dub and drum ‘n’ bass influences, and have been building up a songbook since forming in Stevenage 18 months ago.
The Foul Anchors are a four-piece rock band who call on a wide variety of tastes and influences. Neil said: “Mostly we just enjoy getting together and turning the amplifiers up loud – once we discovered our initials spell ‘band’ we decided it had to be. Expect some loud indie rock and hopefully a lot of fun!”
Headlining are The Sleep Deepers, a hard-hitting quartet based in and around Stevenage combining funk rhythms and grungy riffs to create what they call ‘funge’.
Vocalist and guitarist Glenn Osborn said: “This is our first headline spot at Club 85 so we are really excited about playing.
“We filled in last minute last year for a band that couldn’t play and were very impressed with the sound and the professionalism of the staff.
“Bob Mardon, who runs the venue, is an absolute diamond – he’s so passionate about the local music scene.
“I can’t wait to play and look forward to seeing lots of people there, it is for a great cause, with some awesome live music.”
Find out more about the gig and what else is on the Club 85 programme here
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