Banding together for Sick Kids

Published on Friday 1 April 2011 13:22

MORE than 20 Edinburgh bands are joining forces to make a compilation album which is a "snapshot" of the local music scene to raise funds for the Sick Kids Hospital.

A total of 21 songs will appear on the No Colour Too Strong To Paint album, due to be released on May 7.

The idea to get local bands to raise money for The Sick Kids Friends Foundation came from Col Mcgregor, drummer with the Leith-based Frantic Chant.

As a father of two, he has witnessed the good work of the hospital when his children Niamh, five, and Lewis, seven, have had to attend.

At first Mr Mcgregor, 41, asked a few bands that he knew to donate a song, but word soon spread and he ended up having his pick of songs to feature on the album.

Mr Mcgregor said: "The idea first came when we were approached by a record label in Glasgow who were doing a charity album for Yorkhill and I thought we should be doing something in Edinburgh for the Sick Kids.

"The first thing I thought was that I wouldn't go ahead with it if wasn't a good album as well, but we've managed to get a really good snapshot of the Edinburgh music scene and the bands on it are fantastic.

"I have two kids and my wee girl had an operation on her eye at the Sick Kids so I've seen the work they do first hand.

"There's quite a few members of the bands who have kids and I guess the thinking is that if they have not used the hospital yet, the chances are they will at some point in the future."

The album will be launched at a gig in the Capital, featuring live performances from eight of the bands on the album.

Chris Finn, guitarist with the OK Social Club - who are performing at the launch - wanted to get involved with the album as soon as he heard about it.

His brother Matthew was born with hydrocephalus, which is a build up of fluid inside the skull, and has been in and out of the Sick Kids Hospital all his life.

In 2006, he had a double brain haemorrhage and was in the hospital for several weeks.

Mr Finn said: "It was a really difficult time for everyone in my family. As soon as I found out about the album I got in touch with Col and said we would give a song to it.

"I wouldn't have felt comfortable not doing it. Hopefully people will buy a copy of the album and we can give the Sick Kids a little something back."

The album is being released through Youngteam Records, who are donating their services for free, and is being produced by John Durnan, free of charge.

Rachel McKenzie, community fundraising manager for the Sick Kids Friends Foundation, said: "Our motto is that you don't have to be a doctor to make sick kids better. It's true that everyone who raises funds for the hospital plays a part."

The launch party on May 7 will be held at Maggie's Chamber, above The Three Sisters on the Cowgate.

Tickets are available online now from Ticketweb, priced at 5. The album will be sold for 6.