A PROJECT which supports up and coming bands in the Island is appealing for sponsorship and rehearsal space.

Soundcheck has been running for 16 years and provides facilities for young musicians, in school years nine and above, to rehearse and receive tuition from existing musicians.

With Douglas Youth Centre now renamed as The Youth Arts Centre, the Soundcheck project has been given more space and time. As a result it is now offering recording sessions and there are also plans to produce a CD and shoot a music video during the summer.

Soundcheck sessions currently take place in Douglas, Castletown and Peel but there are plans to expand and offer them in Ramsey and Laxey.

Dave Hattersley, youth officer for the south and west of the Island, said: "Soundcheck bands are hoping to go on tour to different venues round the Island over the next few months so if you have a venue we could use please contact me on 458301.

"We are also looking for sponsorship for the whole project in order to purchase new instruments and equipment and expand still further so we would be pleased to hear from anyone who can support this worthy project."

Past members of Soundcheck who have achieved success include Twisted Angels, Stone Creation and The Lost Soldiers. Other members have gone on to study music at university.

Soundcheck is run by the Department of Education and Children and the Children's Youth Service.

The next Soundcheck gig will take place at the Promenade Suite in the Villa Marina on Tuesday, February 8, at 7pm.

The line up for the evening includes MCXI, The Kinky Wizards, We Found Wally, Three Breaths Left and Our Final Hour from Douglas Soundcheck plus, Savage Tim and Bradley’s Sister from Castletown.

The gig is open to anyone over the age of 14. Tickets cost £2 in advance from the Youth Service office on 01624 686057 or £3 on the door.