New punk album from VerseChorusVerse

Today, VerseChorusVerse release a punk covers album - Six Songs - in aid of First Fortnight and Action Cancer.

"Punk rock. Alternative music, or whatever else you want to call it", says frontman Tony Wright, "has long been my refuge".

Wright, a former member of And So I Watch You From Afar, continues: "I decided to take some of the songs that had help shape me musically, and re-imagine them into a manner in which the production was stripped to some guitars, vocals, harmonica, handclaps and, most importantly, the sentiment. Because THAT is what folk and punk share."

All proceeds from the album, which costs as little as 50p, will go to First Fortnight and Action Cancer, an organisation close to Tony's heart:

"Action Cancer (Coleraine) was an organisation my mother, who started me out on this path in every single way, was Chairperson of for a few years before she lost her own battle with cancer 12 years ago today, on the 25th July. She was diagnosed on one of their mobile units."

"I miss her dearly and thank her every day for the gifts she bestowed upon me and the things she taught me."

Tony explains the choice of tracks on the album:

1. 100% - Sonic Youth
The lead track off the Dirty album. My first real band, PepperBook used to cover it. A classic.
2. Margin Walker - Fugazi
The lead track off the E.P. of the same name. My favourite Fugazi song.
3. Get Over You - The Undertones
The first of two N.I. covers. Always loved the song, in particular the version on the D.O.E. ad. Can you tell?
4. Wasted Life - Stiff Little Fingers
The second N.I. cover, I always loved how discordant and out of tune the original was, here I’ve tried to take that and make a texture outta it. Maybe.
5. Territorial Pissings - Nirvana
Off the Nevermind album and some would say this track is the band at their most punk rock. Probably not the band though. I fancied exploring the melody, which I always felt was so strong.
6. Bankrobber - The Clash
Joe Strummer used to call himself Woody. I thought it’d be cool to delve into that.