Look
out Mark Knopfler, watch out Sting…. the latest group to emerge on Tyneside’s rock scene is taking the region by storm! The members of Recovery Rocks! met at Oaktrees, one of The Cyrenians’ centres which supports people in recovery from addiction.
In deciding to form the group part of the message from the staff and clients from Oaktrees who make up Recovery Rocks! is that recovery from addiction is a realistic and achievable goal.
Eileen Ronan, Assistant Director, responsible for recovery services at The Cyrenians explained:
“It’s hard to believe its over 18 months ago since the group was formed – it’s flown by, we’re having so much fun!
“We’ve played to some amazing audiences over the past year – the National Conference of GPs, Drug and Alcohol Treatment workers from South of Tyne & Wear, The Regional User and Carer Forum, The Sage at an event hosted by Streetwise Opera, The Friends of the Cyrenians Conference and last night we performed to a sell out crowd at our first ‘Recovery Rocks!’ concert in the Theatre Royal studio”.
Recovery Rocks! cover a wide range of artists including James, Annie Lennox and the Beatles.
Based in Gateshead, The Oaktrees project delivers a 12 week abstinence based programme where clients continue to live in their own home but access treatment daily to share recovery skills with their peers, forming a network which is free from drugs and alcohol.
Clients graduate from the programme after the structured 12 week programme has been completed.
Eileen Ronan continued:
“What started as an in house singing group has really started to develop a following! Between songs band members also share their own personal stories of their recovery journey and what singing has meant to them – audiences tell us that’s really compelling and inspirational.”
Band member Justin continued:
“Some days it felt like everything was going against me, my moods were low but going to singing would always uplift my spirits and make me feel more positive about my recovery and life in general.
“There's a real power and strength you get from singing and playing music that's beyond words.”
Recovery Rocks! is available on CD - The Cluny Studio has supported the band in helping them to make the recording and copies are available from The Cyrenians on 0191 273 8891.
