For many rock bands, looking after their hearing would be the last thing on their minds, but Islington based five-piece Black Mariah 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 (www.black-mariah.com) have organised a benefit night, which will feature sets from two other bands, at the exclusive Cobden Club in Notting Hill on Fri 21st Oct 05. The gig will raise money for RNID's Don't Lose the Music campaign.
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 21st, wearing my earplugs so I can enjoy the music, but not damage my hearing further."