Page 28 - Phonebox Magazine September 2016

Musicians Against Homelessness
ONewport Pagnell bands team together
ASIS guru Alan McGee is Craufaud Arms on Sunday 25th September teaming up with local bands which sees an awesome Indie a go-go line-up in Newport Pagnell as part with ‘The Relights’, ‘Euan Emerton’, ‘The Girl of his new campaign against From Mars’ and the ‘Britpop Show’.
homelessness. Tickets are available from www.wegottickets.
Alan McGee and Steve Wells
opportunities for young bands.”
McGee, who slept rough himself before discovering Oasis, goes on to say:
“Due to the eternal gentrification of big cities we are losing music venues all over the country. Without these venues what chance will new bands, especially working class bands, ever have of gaining the oxygen of experience and learning to refine their craft? “Inner city redevelopment is killing the next generation of musicians, and very soon the working class artists will be written out of the narrative of rock ’n’ roll music.
“Hopefully as well as raising a large amount for Crisis, this project will give a lot of new bands a chance to play and to exist in a place where they can all shine on.”
Can you help?
Would you like to help the cause towards fighting homelessness and promoting local musicians?
Steve and the guys are looking for people to help collect with the collection buckets and people to help on the entry tills. There will also be a clothing bank which people can donate to, this will also need help of others to manage.
Your contribution would be greatly appreciated and would be part of a fantastic example of our communities pulling together. Any time contributed will make a big difference.
To find out more Steve can be contacted on mah2016.newportpagnell@gmail.com, facebook.com/mahgigs or www.crisis.org.uk. Big thanks to Molly Hepburn at The Cannon, Brian at The Royal British Legion, Trish and Jonny Smith at The Coachmakers and Jo Buckley at The Unionist for providing venues, Pete Jelfs, Gawaine Parker and Joshua Timmins for providing and working the sound systems and Project Noise, The Dead Heartbeats and Oli Spring for managing and hosting the events on the day. Thanks also to all of the fantastic artists and friends that have stepped in.
The music mogul launched a new nationwide campaign called Musicians Against Homelessness earlier this year to raise funds for the homeless charity Crisis with the project being supported by Happy Mondays legend Shaun Ryder, Irvine Walsh, Cast, the Buzzcocks, Black Grape, The Jesus & Mary Chain and hundreds more bands.
There have been some very upsetting stories of homelessness in Milton Keynes; this year two men lost their lives whilst living on the streets of Milton Keynes. The loss of both Patrick Allen and Tony Porter has spurred Local musician Steve Wells on to lead a Musicians Against Homelessness event in Newport Pagnell and he has quickly gathered support.
Bands and artists here in Newport Pagnell and the surrounding area have been quick to rally to the cause. Legend Adam Ficek formerly of ‘Babyshambles’ and originally from Bletchley himself will be in support as well as local bands Mad Mods and Englishmen, Colony, Treacherous Dogs, Project Noise, The Wah Wah Club, Nina Santini, Final Clearance to name a few will play the MAH fund-raising concert hosted by The Legion on the Friday 23rd September The Cannon and Coachmakers Arms on Saturday 24th September and a grand finale at The
com/mahgigsbucks or individual venue entry will be £2 on the door where applicable (£5 entry at the Craufaud on 25th September) or take advantage of a weekend wristband for £10.
Alan McGee: “I am delighted that bands of this calibre want to be part of this campaign. “The support in Newport Pagnell has been tremendous and inspiring and it’s fantastic to see so many come forward to take part. “Although our primary concern is to combat the scourge of homelessness it is vital that the MAH gigs also give up-and-coming bands a chance to play to larger audiences.”
Ed Tait, Director of Fundraising for Crisis, said: “The support of Musicians Against Homelessness comes at an important time. Homelessness is devastating, leaving people vulnerable and isolated. With rough sleeping rising steeply across the UK, unfortunately our services are all the more important.” Gigs will take place over a three week period between 18 September and 9th October. They are all endorsed by Alan McGee and will be open to all bands and venues who’d like to get involved in their local area.
McGee, who formed Creation Records and manages bands including Black Grape and The Jesus & Mary Chain, said: “We are trying to build a new wave of
Steve Wells at the Coachmakers Arms with Trish and Jonny Smith and their two sons
28 Phonebox Magazine | September 2016