This month I’ve been hearing a lot about Pledge. No not the polish, one of my friends who shall remain unnamed, has thus far taken too great delight in this joke, excessive if you ask me. No I’m talking about the fan funded music organisation Pledge Music - doing its bit for bands and artists all over the country that are tired of fat cat record companies and want a different, more socially aware way of getting their music listened to and heard. Now I’m not going to preach because YES, Pledge Music do make their cut, but this is a rising and expanding platform for getting albums made, records released and what’s best of all is they encourage each and every one of the artists involved to donate a percentage of the money made to charity.

This month I’ve been speaking to Chatham’s very own punk rockers Underground Heroes (file in between The Jam and The View) who have just signed up to be part of this blueprint . At this very moment you can pledge for anything from a pledgers only gig, a pre show meet and greet, a night out with the band in their home town of Chatham, a day as a roadie; even a night out with the bands very own singer Aaron who tells me “someone has already pledged good money for this, it's quite flattering really! You play your part in the bands activities and in return they make an album, with you the fans getting exclusive rights to the music the moment it is ready for release. And like I’ve already said, the best bit is they donate a percentage of all this to their chosen charity. In Underground Heroes case Teenage Cancer Trust.

This is a scheme that gets top marks for allowing fans to become fully absorbed into the musical world of their favourite unsigned artists. A collaboration with the aim of becoming one with the record industry. Now I can’t guarantee that by making a pledge you’ll instantly turn into Ian Faith (Spinal Tap) but what you will be doing is your bit for musical history and a fantastic charitable cause.

To get in on the action and make your pledge follow this: http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/undergroundheroes

Underground Heroes are currently on tour in the UK. See their myspace or twitter below for details.

Keep your eyes peeled for a full interview with the lads in the next edition of FD2D Magazine.

Photo by Amy Brammall