The Rainband, will speed into the summer, after being chosen to perform their second single ‘Rise Again’, as a tribute to motorbike legend, Marco Simoncelli, at the British Moto GP.

Rise Again will be released as a single on 18th June with all profits to The Marco Simoncelli Foundation.

The band was contacted by the Marco Simoncelli Foundation to write a single to honour the Italian motor racing hero, who died at the 2011 Malaysian Grand Prix, aged just 24.

Rise Again will be officially released on 18 June and the band are currently filming the accompanying video in Marco’s hometown of Coriano, Italy.

Martin Finnigan, singer of The Rainband, said:
“Being invited to open the French and Italian motor shows is a big honour for us. We’re performing in aid of the Marco Simoncelli Foundation, whose sole focus is to build a specialist hospital for disabled people in Rimini. All proceeds from our single will go straight to the charity.

“Rise Again is one of our best songs and is a brilliant soundtrack to the Foundation and a fitting tribute to remarkable man.”
The band has invited double world moto GP super bike world champion, James Toseland, to play piano on the track. He knew Marco personally and on hearing the song wanted to perform with The Rainband.

2012 has been a momentous year for the band which has seen them write the title track for Trevor Williams’ short film ‘Plenty More Fish in the Sea’. They have also been named by the O2 event group as ‘Rising Stars’ at the BRITs. Recent support slots include Simple Minds, The Charlatans and Ocean Colour Scene.

With flavours of Madchester stalwarts – The Stone Roses, Oasis and The Charlatans, The Rainband consists of four lads with serious Madchester pedigree. Guitarist Phil Rainey was previously a member of Peter Hook’s cult combo Monaco.

The band has been applauded by legendary Manchester musicians from Johnny Marr to Liam Gallagher to Tim Booth of the band James. The Rainband’s debut EP and single She’s a Rainbow is out now on Affinity Records and available on iTunes and in all good record stores.

On Sunday 30th April lead guitarist and co-founder of The Rainband Phil Rainey will run the Manchester Marathon in aid of The Marco Simoncelli Foundation.

You can sponsor Phil by donating using the button below:
Donate to The Marco Simoncelli Foundation

Last week Martin flew out to southern Italy with Seveer Media to film the video for Rise Again in Marco Simoncelli’s hometown.

It certainly was an emotional trip for the team. Martin said “Words are beyond me when I think of the Simoncelli familly. They welcomed us like we were family from day one. Paolo is an amazing man and has strength beyond my comprehension. The foundation is something we are proud to be a part of.”

This week has been a monumental one for the band. We have shot the upcoming video for next single Rise Again in Marco Simoncelli’s hometown of Coriana, southern Italy and have also had former World Superbike champion (and a close friend of Marco’s) James Toseland record an epic piano part for the track in Manchester.

See James in action below:

James Toseland (centre) with Steve & Phil from The Rainband

James Toseland on piano with Dave Tolan (Producer) and Phil Rainey, Steve Irlam from The Rainband

Check out the Manchester Evening News review of our Brit Awards 2012 attendance.

We’re delighted to announce we have been hand picked by the organisers of the British MotoGP at Silverstone to play at June’s event. The event attracts 80,000 Motorbike spectators each year. Details of an exclusive competition to join us on the weekend will follow shortly.

Want to be an extra in a critically acclaimed movie with The Rainband? This coming Sunday we film our live music scene in the film ‘Plenty More Fish In The Sea’ at the 101 Bar on Silver Street in Bury. We’ll play this track exclusively live for the 1st time as a band. Filming begins at 4pm and will finish around 8pm. There’s then an aftershow party with some of Manchester’s finest DJ’s. Respond to this status if you want to be involved or email management@therainband.co.uk for more details.