Men form rock band to help addiction recovery

Six men recovering from addiction say forming a rock band has helped to give them hope, joy and purpose.

The group, called Sons of Jericho, was founded at Jericho House, a Derby-based recovery charity that supports men to rebuild their lives from addiction and offending.

Some of those who perform in the band had not played instruments before signing up and have since learned to play.

Frontman and singer Sean Payne was volunteering at the charity when the band was formed and said he took the role, despite naturally being a withdrawn person.

Jericho House's chief executive Neil Ainslie manages the band, which he says is going from strength to strength and has already played a number of gigs.

"Our music blends rock, indie, and Britpop, drawing inspiration from bands like Foo Fighters, Oasis, Green Day, Arctic Monkeys and The Beatles," he said.

"Every song we play carries the message that recovery is possible, and life after addiction can be full of joy, laughter, and purpose."

Band member Jake Lindsay said performing in Sons of Jericho had helped him in his recovery from drug addiction.

"I was looking for ways to cope and when I first started, it was very much like it felt like the answer because it stopped all the noise in my head," he said.

"I've always been an overly anxious person and an overly feeling person and drugs felt like the answer.

"The problem was that I needed more and more and more. Jericho took the drugs out the equation."

Bandmate Charlie Pool started off as the band's roadie but stepped in when Sons of Jericho needed a bass player.

"I was the only volunteer," he said. "I didn't know how to play so I learned the guitar in Jericho and I really, really love it," he added.

The band are now busy rehearsing ahead of a Christmas-themed performance in Derby next month.

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