Rock band from Burnley named patrons of children's performing arts charity chART (From Burnley and Pendle Citizen)

Rock band from Burnley named patrons of children's performing arts charity chART

1:42pm Friday 22nd February 2013 in News

HARD rockers from Burnley are showing their softer side after being named patrons for a children’s performing arts charity.

Musicians from Exit State may rub shoulders with the likes of The Scorpions and legends from AC/DC and Kiss while gigging.

But away from the testosterone-filled rock circuit, the band — fronted by Burnley’s Roy Bright — are showing their mellower side by working with chART, the children’s hospice arts collective.

Roy and his bandmates Phil Ireland, Peat Hicks and Matt Harris have even been working on an acoustic set which they are planning to share with youngsters from Claire House Children’s Hospice on Merseyside.

Vocalist Roy, the half-brother of former Crystal Palace striker and TV presenter Mark Bright, said: “We're so grateful that we can be involved like this.

“We’ve been working on a new acoustic set and simply cannot wait to take that into a session at Claire House which will give us a fantastic opportunity to learn more about chART and the great things the organisation does for the children and young people.”

Suzanne Price, chART’s team leader for music and film, said: “We are totally thrilled and honoured to announce Exit State have agreed to become patrons of chART.

“We are very excited to be working closely with the band on some incredible ventures over the next few months.”

Work is still progressing on Exit State’s third album, due for release in June, the follow-up to 2011’s Black Veins.

And for their East Lancs fans they have got a date lined up at the Sanctuary rock club in Burnley’s Cow Lane on March 30.