A BAND based in Teignmouth with a unique musical pedigree has launched an appeal to fund recording a first album.

Music Channel, which has links to the Moody Blues and The Pogues, needs £3,000 to have a hope of recording an album, CD and cover printing.

Leanne Martin, who runs Meadows Florist and gift shop in Northumberland Place was one of the band’s founding members.

Her musical background comes partly from her dad singer-songwriter Steve Gibbons, who played guitar in the original line up of the Moody Blues and has a star of fame in Birmingham where he was born.

Another musical link comes her landlord, Ian Hunt, whose brother Darryl played base in the Pogues.

Leanne explained: ‘We moved to Dawlish 10 years ago where we saw the Great Storm.

‘When I was a child, we often had the likes of Wizzard and the Moody Blues jam and rehearse in our living room on Cato Street in Saltly.’

Leanne is now joined by her 16-year-old daughter Meadow Martin who is a Year 11 student at Teignmouth Community College and whose drumming lessons have given her the skill to become part of the line-up.

The other members are bassist Tom Burns, from Teignmouth, and guitarist Andy B.

Vocalist Leanne explained: ‘It’s very difficult getting a record deal these days so many musicians are taking things into their own hands.

‘Crowdfunding is the only feasible way we can afford to record our songs.

‘Any financial backing to help this can literally create a pathway into the music industry for us.

‘We aim to do support slots with signed bands and get enough traction to get a recording contract, management deal and become a professional touring band.

‘We have a way to go to generate the funds but we are extremely hopeful.

'If we can record an album we can then look to having a launch night.’

The band has recorded its first song Be My Valentine, which tells the story of unattainable love, at Studio 8830 studios near Exeter.

Leanne’s career has gone from being a full-time DJ at

Stringfellows in London and other nightclubs and a degree in Art & Design from Chelsea College.

While DJing at the clubs, she met many famous faces

including George Michael, Freddie Mercury, Prince, Lemmy and Stevie Nicks.

In fact, her ‘raspy’ vocals have been likened to Nicks.

The studio has given the band a price of £2,700 to complete their album plus £300 for CD printing with graphics.

A live stream at Studio 8830 of a few songs should go ahead in March and they will be gigging in Teignmouth and Exeter and London in the summer.

Leanne said: ‘Our album songs are in the vain of Jet, The Stones, Dandy Warhols, prodigy with a nod to punk.

‘The songs have catch hooks which I tap into by jamming to the music and the lyrics are added either spontaneously or afterwards, hence the band name Music Channel.’