Rockers Go On The Record To Help The Homeless

It has been a turbulent - somewhat tragic - year for live music, with concert and tour cancellations threatening the livelihoods of artists across the country.

But Redcliffe's annual rock show Rockin' 4 The Homeless has made the best of the situation by launching a CD, in lieu of its annual show, that will aim to raise funds and awareness for local community group The Breakfast Club.

The event's founder and director Dan Nebe said the 2020 event was cancelled due to the uncertainty around live music restrictions during COVID and the many risks involved.

We had so much on the line with booking flights, production and all the basic logistics involved in putting on a live concert, he said.

I wasn't prepared to spend the sponsors money on a 'maybe', so we honestly had no choice but to cancel the event.�

It was then that Dan had the idea to continue to raise much-needed funds through music, but instead through the form of a CD, rather than the usual live concert.

I called my boss and friend Dave Faulkner from the band Hoodoo Gurus to tell him my plan. He said we could have an unreleased track from the band, which was an Australian first,� he said.

I then called Sarah McLeod from The Superjesus and she gave us a track to use on the album as well, and it just went nuts from there.

It is the best replacement for the live event in my books.�

With a release date set for December 1, the CD Rockin 4 the Homeless Covid edition - Greatest Hitters, will feature Hoodoo Gurus, The Superjesus, Diana Anaid, Billy Rad, Team Utopia, Salt & Steel, Abby Skye and 25 other acts.

The CD celebrates local artists and raises money at the same time,� he said.

It's a great alternative to the event and we can still raise money this year to support the Breakfast Club.

The buzz around it at the moment is amazing - the media and public can't believe we pulled a lineup like this together, it is quite surreal.

It shows that no matter what is thrown at us, we can adapt and our local community is good at that. We stick together and help each other out in times of need.�

Rockin 4 the Homeless Covid edition - Greatest Hitters will be available at the Rockin 4 the Homeless stand at the Redcliffe Markets in December and via download. For more information visit the Rockin 4 The Homeless Facebook page.