The Antibodies release single to provide PPE to frontliners

A group of musicians from around the country have come together to record and release a two-track single, under the name The Antibodies, to raise money for personal protection equipment (PPE).

What’s really significant about The Antibodies is that many of the people who are involved in the recording have never met each other.

The single features versions of two classic tracks, Neil Young’s, ‘Rockin’ in the Free World’, and Labi Siffre’s, ‘Something Inside So Strong’.

The musicians involved all recorded their own parts at home using their own home recording software and then those tracks were sent to Wexford musician, Roger McGuire, who also handles lead vocals on the Labi Siffre track.

Roger inputed the tracks into his studio in Wexford and he then mixed and produced the single. The quality of the recording is a testament to his ability as an engineer.

Roger said he was approached about the project by Fran O’Neill who asked him about the logistics of people recording a song in the current climate.

‘Most musicians nowadays have some kind of recording set-up at home so we asked people to record their own bits at home but then send them to me,’ he said. ‘Fran picked the two songs.’

Each participant was sent the basic guide rhythm tracks and they recorded their parts to that. While the different pieces submitted were of differing quality, the one thing that emanated clearly from the input of all the musicians was their enthusiasm for the project and for the frontline workers that it supported.

‘ The parts were recorded in loads of different places and we have over 30 people who submitted,’ said Roger.

‘ The enthusiasm and interest of everyone was fantastic,’ he added.

The single is available to download through social media at TheAntibodies2020@bandcamp.com and also through The Antibodies 2020 Facebook page.

All the money raised through the project is going directly towards an Irish company called Intosport.ie which is a small enterprise that is now providing PPE.

‘ They changed their workflow to focus attention on PPE and there are people who have a need for PPE but it’s not in their budget so they have been giving them equipment for free and that is where we come in,’ said Roger.

As this newspaper went to press the project had raised over €3,000 but people can still go to the bandcamp page and download the tracks throughout this week.

The minimum payment is €5 for the two tracks but people can donate as much as they like to the project.