Scots indie rock band release single to help homeless people this Christmas

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An Indie Rock band from Falkirk have released a single to raise funds for those sleeping rough on the streets of Scotland this Christmas.

Social Dancing - a three piece comprising Paul Henry Smith on vocals and guitar, Greg McSorley on bass and Kevin Byrne on drums - will all sales of ‘Mark as Read’ to Shelter Scotland.

The friends were inspired to write the song after being shocked by the number of homeless folk struggling to survive on the streets during a recent visit to Glasgow.

Paul said: “I was visiting Glasgow and had just left the warmth of a hotel. A person lay on the street just down from George Square. They were hidden under a pile of blankets. Sticking from the blanket was a gloved hand, waiting for some coins to be placed upon the glove. It was both a hopeful and resigned gesture.

Kevin added: “It seemed to us that the homelessness community had grown in Glasgow in recent times and it led us to thinking of democracy; its current state, the apathy and disillusionment of many sections of the population, and the pain caused by years of funding cuts and government austerity, leading to an increase in social deprivation and with it, homelessness in our country.”

Paul said: “The first line of the single ‘life asleep on the streets’, keeps taking me back to the image of the person on the streets, under the blankets, face unseen, hand outstretched, hoping for some money or some food.

“The term ‘Mark as Read’ implies that many won’t read between the lines of what is fundamentally wrong with our government, and today’s failed society, while turning a blind eye to the problems that lie in front of us.”

He added: “We are an older band, now in our mid forties, and want to inspire other older people to play live music. The benefits of returning to music are significant. Making this music has had a significant impact on enhancing our own mental health. One advantage of playing music at this age? We have all forged careers elsewhere and don’t rely on an income from music, which we imagine is now impossible for many great and inspiring artists.

“With this in mind, we decided any money we made from this adventure would go to charity. 2024 has been our first truly active year and we have already donated to Maggies, and are now raising what we can for Shelter Scotland.”

- to download the track and donate to Shelter Scotland go to www.socialdancingband.bandcamp.com/track/mark-as-read. Single is on sale from today - Friday December 13

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