NORTHERN Ireland’s rock and metal community has a proud history of raising money for charitable causes, and the latest effort will see at least a dozen of the country’s top
bands coming together to raise money for Cancer Research.‘Dancing In The Moonlight’ is planned as a compilation album featuring bands that are making a real noise on the international scene as well as winning over more and more fans in Northern Ireland.
Among the bands lining up to take part are Stormzone [Three Kings album review here], No Hot Ashes and Trucker Diablo [Songs of Iron album review here]. These are acts that continue to feature on radio playlists from America to Australia. And, more bands are lining up to take part.
‘Dancing In The Moonlight’ is the brainchild of our colleague in rock and metal journalism, Mark Ashby, who was inspired to bring the bands together for such a mammoth fundraising project – which he describes as “possibly the most ambitious project of its kind in the history of the Northern Ireland rock and metal scene” – after his partner was diagnosed with cancer for the fourth time.
Mark told Belfastmetalheadreunited:
“Last September, my partner Carolyn was told that the cancer she had fought on several occasions in the past had returned: fortunately, the diagnosis was made early and Carolyn underwent eight weeks of radiotherapy at the Royal Victoria Hospital to beat this horrible disease.
“Early in her treatment, we were both struck by one thing: the support and solidarity shown by our countless friends in the rock and metal community, not only here in Belfast, but across Northern Ireland – and further afield.
“Even at that early stage I made myself a promise: to do something to celebrate not only Carolyn’s triumph over the disease, but that of every other survivor – and, at the same time, celebrate the spirit and strength of our own beloved rock and metal community.
“Discussions were held with many of the friends I have made over 30 years of working in the local music business, and few ideas – some of them daft – were batted around until someone simply asked: ‘why don’t you ask a load of bands to put songs on a compilation CD, which we could then sell and raise money for Cancer Research?’… To be honest, I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of it myself!
“In the weeks since the idea was mooted, both Carolyn and I have talked to many bands, and many people within the scene: and the strength and support which I referred to earlier has continued, as everyone we have talked to has expressed their willingness to be involved, in some shape or form, and we are immensely grateful for those who have a hell of a lot more talent than either of us for their support and the strength it in turn has given us.
“So far, we have almost a dozen bands involved. Some of them are contributing songs from their back catalogues, and some of them have offered to record new songs exclusively for this album. We can promise you that there will be quite a few surprises thrown in…
“It is a project which is very precious to us…, because of the inspiration behind it, and we hope that it will become just as precious to the local rock and metal community, as it will be an album which showcases the breadth and depth of the NI scene, and hopefully will have something to appeal to everyone who loves our local music.”
More details of ‘Dancing In The Moonlight’ can be found on dedicated Facebook page, www.facebook.com/DancingInTheMoonlightNI
Authors: Jonny
Read More: http://belfastmetalheadsreunited.blogspot.com/2014/01/rockin-out-in-aid-of-cancer-with.html