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Telephone 0808 808 0123
Textphone 0808 808 9000
informationline@rnid.org.uk
RNID: For deaf and hard of hearing people.
Sex, plugs and rock 'n' roll - 18 October 2005
Fresh from their success at headlining the Virgin Megastore unsigned bands showcase on John Peel Day last week, Black Mariah are gearing up for their gig – a charity benefit night. For many rock bands, looking after their hearing would be the last thing on their minds, but Islington based five-piece Black Mariah www.black-mariah.com (external link) (external link) have joined the ever-growing group of musicians, including Athlete, Embrace and The Cooper Temple Clause, who are only too aware of the damage that listening to loud music for too long can do.
Black Mariah have organised a benefit night, which will feature sets from two other bands, at the exclusive Cobden Club in Notting Hill on Friday 21October. The gig will raise money for RNID's Don't Lose the Music Campaign, which aims to increase awareness amongst music fans about the dangers of over exposure to loud music.
RNID, the largest charity representing the nine million deaf and hard of hearing people in the UK, launched the Don't Lose the Music campaign not to stop young people from going to clubs and enjoying music, but to encourage people to protect themselves against the cumulative effects of loud music by taking regular breaks, using earplugs, standing away from speakers and using chill out areas to give their ears a break.
Mark, vocalist, Black Mariah said: "When you're practising and playing gigs regularly you clock up hours and hours next to speakers at crazy volumes and you have no idea the damage that you can do to your hearing. Black Mariah decided to organise this night for Don't Lose the Music because music is the most important thing in our lives. We want to be playing it and loving it for years to come."
Lisa McDonald, Campaigns Officer, RNID, said: "It's great Black Mariah have organised this night and that more and more musicians are getting the message that listening to music for long and too loudly will damage your ears permanently. I love music and have been going to gigs for years and have developed tinnitus as a result. I'll be there on October 21, wearing my earplugs so I can enjoy the music, but not damage my hearing further."
The Don't Lose the Music night on October 21 at The Cobden Club, 170-172 Kensal Road, London, W10 will feature sets by three London bands: Black Mariah, The Very Special Guests and one other TBC, plus DJs until 3am. Tickets are £5 - for tickets email info@black-mariah.com - all profits will go to Don't Lose the Music campaign. Doors open at 8pm.
Don't Lose the Music is supported by a number of musicians and celebrities including: Moby, Pink Floyd, Embrace, Sir George Martin, Lemar, DJ Jon Carter, The Darkness, David Grey, Roger Daltrey, Pete Waterman, Emma B (Radio 1), Dr Mark Hamilton (Radio 1) and The Cooper Temple Clause. For more information on Don't Lose the Music, visit www.dontlosethemusic.com (external link) (external link)