PUNKS LISTEN is the third in a series of ‘benefit books’ from the Hope Collective, Dublin’s punk/Do-It-Yourself group.

It is designed to raise funds for the Red Cross Ukraine Refugee appeal.

Inspired by the punk community, in 2017 the Hope Collective released a book to raise money for the Syrian refugees. Thanks to the people who wrote for the book, and the people who bought it, they were able to present €5,000 to the Red Cross Syrian Refugee appeal.

This was followed up in 2020 by a book to assist the NHS workers and patients during the Covid-19 pandemic. Again, thanks to the writers and the buyers, they were able to donate €10,000 to the NHS Charities Together Covid-19 appeal.

The new book is a collection of pieces of writing from musicians, writers, actors and music fans. They were asked to write about a record (or a gig) that was significant to them.

The book includes over 200 contributions from people including:

Amanda Palmer

Suggs (Madness)

Roddy Doyle (The Commitments)

Mike Scott (The Waterboys)

Gaye Black (The Adverts)

Henry Rollins

Andy Cairns (Therapy?)

Mike Watt (Minutemen)

Josephine Wiggs (The Breeders)

Kevin Godley (10cc)

Tim Burgess (The Charlatans)

Manda Rin (Bis)

Michael Murphy says:

“It’s been a really difficult and stressful few years for just about everybody. Sometimes we felt like it was all too much. What could people like us do to make a difference? What could we do to help the Ukrainian refugees?

We did a small thing – we contacted some of our favourite authors, musicians and music people. They did something that really mattered to us – they took time and wrote really moving pieces about their favourite records and gigs. When you put all of them together it’s a really meaningful collection. It proves that you can find help in surprising places when you reach out.”

Price: £15/€16

Available from: www.hopecollectiveireland.com