The Bunker Annual Publication

THE HEART OF LOCAL MUSIC

www.bunkeruk.com t: 0191 567 1777 e: info@bunkeruk.com

The Bunker 29 Stockton Road Sunderland SR2 7AQ

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FOREWORD

Without doubt, The Bunker has come a long way since its beginnings in 1981. Despite physical changes in location, and a massively increased capacity to assist creativity, music has remained firmly at the heart of what we do.

30 years of experience in arts development has only allowed us to increase our remit, which now includes services to business and community organisations as well as to artists and musicians.

In recent years we have nurtured relationships with many partner organisations throughout Sunderland and the wider North East, as we strive to constantly develop and ensure that The Bunker is heading in a direction which allows us to continue as a positive force for creativity in our region. As an organisation which has survived against the odds on an almost constant basis, we feel we are lean and weathered to endure the trying times we all face, still offering value for money as a service provider on many levels. However, this would not be possible without continued support from fellow organisations, as well as our important relationships with charities and volunteer groups.

In 2012 we are keen to build on our remit in Sunderland and beyond. With creativity and music at our heart, we will continue to exercise our influence throughout different areas and assist local communities. I’m proud to say that we have a fantastic team, the expertise of which allows us to stay at the cutting edge and one step ahead of developments in the creative world, ensuring we provide sound advice and opportunities for our customers and clients. The world has changed a great deal since 1981, as has The Bunker. But as an organisation, our goals and objectives remain much as they have for 30 years. We exist to support music, creativity, and the development of local people.

CONTENTS 01.

Foreword

02.

Services

03.

Community

05.

Business

07.

Partners

08.

Team

09.

The Future

10.

How To Get Involved

“THE BUNKER IS A SUPERB PLACE TO HAVE IN SUNDERLAND, IT IS A BREEDING GROUND FOR TALENT AND WITHOUT IT I DOUBT I WOULD HAVE EVER BECOME A PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN. I HAVE BEEN GOING THERE FOR 15 YEARS AND IT’S BETTER THAN EVER. IT’S SOULFUL, ETHICAL AND AFFORDABLE AND THE CITY WOULD BE SCREWED WITHOUT IT. I LOVE IT.” Barry Hyde - The Futureheads

1981 - The Sunderland Musicians Collective, which will develop The Bunker, is born and rents a small rehearsal room on Borough Road.

1982 - The Bunker and the members of the Collective move to Green Terrace School.

02 EACH WEEK THE BUNKER WELCOMES AN AVERAGE OF 225 MUSICIANS. SINCE THE START OF 2011 THAT’S 11,700 IN TOTAL

SERVICES

The Bunker has acted as a platform for thousands of musicians and artists since opening over 30 years ago. Recognised for catapulting acts including The Futureheads, Field Music and Frankie & The Heartstrings to national and international stages, The Bunker is a unique and vital force within the North East’s creative economy.

Today, The Bunker’s recording and rehearsal facilities act as a base of operations for hundreds of bands. We also deliver key services to budding musicians, technicians and businesses including Training, Artist Development, Youth Provision, PA Hire, Promotions, Event Management, Stage Management and access to two in-house record labels.

CASE STUDY John Peel With some of the UK’s most impactful artists and bands emerging from the region during the 1960s, when his career began, it was perhaps inevitable that John Peel would be drawn to the North East.

The Bunker’s reputation as a professional service provider for live events is built upon work with a number of high profile organisations, assisting delivery of BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend, Sunderland City Council events, and North East appearances from music industry giants including Kasasbian and Snow Patrol. By the same token, new and burgeoning artists from across the UK have been allowed opportunities to perform in the North East at events organised by The Bunker.

Practice rooms are available for hire 7 days a week between the hours of 9am to 10pm with prices starting from £3 an hour.

A range of recording studios are available for hire all year round, or if you would prefer, we can come to come to you. We have recently engineered and recorded sessions from bands such as The Futureheads, Hyde & Beast, Leatherface, Lucas Renney, Lets Buy Happiness and Frankie & The Heartstrings as well as students from local colleges ESPA and City of Sunderland College.

Sessions priced at £15 per hour with discounts available for students, unemployed, and block bookings.

“THERE MUST BE SOMETHING WONDERFUL IN THE WATERS OF THE WEAR”

Harder to predict would be the love affair he developed with Sunderland. Making many friends in the City, DJing regularly in the late 1960s, early ‘70s, and becoming a great advocate of The Bunker in the 1980s and onward, playing music from bands based at Stockton Road on his BBC Radio 1 show and inviting several down to London for live sessions.

When The Bunker came under threat of closure in the late 1990s, as a result of withdrawal of community funding, Peel added his influential voice to the protests, donating a significant amount of money which undoubtedly helped The Bunker to survive during its darkest period. One of Britain’s most loved and respected broadcasters, John took a keen interest in The Bunker and supported North East music right up until his death in 2004.

John Peel

1983 - The Bunker finally settles in its current home at Stockton Road, rising from the rubble of a former bakery.

1984 - Sunderland act The Toy Dolls re-issue “Nellie the Elephant” and reach #4 in the UK Singles Chart, staying in the chart for 14 weeks.

1985 - The Clash play a secret gig inside The Bunkers walls sparking a mass last-ditch ditch gathering, which becomes legendary.

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COMMUNITY The Bunker has a proud tradition of utilising our trained staff members’ skills and facilities to aide in the development of local communities. This is manifested in our work with socially oriented organisations where we coordinate, facilitate and deliver funded projects and initiatives.

We have strong, successful working relationships with YOS (Youth Offending Service), NECA (North East Council on Addictions) DISC (Developing Initiatives Supporting Community) and OCN (Open College Network). The Bunker’s specially trained practitioners are regularly on hand to deliver a number of key initiatives on behalf of community based organisations.

Most recently, The Bunker has successfully delivered outcomes for initiatives including ‘Sober Sounds of Sunderland’, ‘Bottle It’, and the ‘NEET2EET Beat Project’.

Partners turn to The Bunker as a credible and unique facility which is able to deliver initiatives to combat a variety of social inclusion and addiction issues, as well as approaching re-engagement of young people into education and learning.

Our staff members are always on hand to discuss projects or offer advice to local community organisations, and The Bunker’s wide range of equipment and facilities are made available in accordance with circumstances, often free of charge.

“THE WORK THAT THE BUNKER HAS UNDERTAKEN IN PARTNERSHIP WITH DISC HAS BEEN INVALUABLE. ORGANISATIONS LIKE THE BUNKER HELP US TO PROVIDE A FUN, PRODUCTIVE AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR GROUPS WHO CAN THRIVE IN THIS TYPE OF COMMUNITY BASED REHABILITATION.” Jillian Crumbie, Acting Project Leader at DISC

“THE WORK OF THE BUNKER UNDERPINS A GREAT DEAL OF CREATIVE ACTIVITY IN SUNDERLAND AND PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN THE CITY’S WELL ESTABLISHED MUSIC SCENE, CONTRIBUTING TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LOCAL ECONOMY.” Gary Hutchinson, Head of Venue and Events at Sunderland AFC

1988 - A Tribe of Toffs’ novelty pop track “John Kettley is a Weatherman” reaches No. 21 in the charts in December.

1989 - Leatherface’s Frankie Stubbs and the lads take their assault on the alternative charts from their practice rooms.

1990 - Ashbrooke All Stars ‘Dubbin’ Up The pieces reaches no.15 in the UK Dance charts.

04 160 PARTICIPANTS HAVE ENJOYED SPECIALISED TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AT THE BUNKER OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS

100 NEET YOUNG PEOPLE ACROSS THE CITY HAVE GAINED A NATIONALLY RECOGNISED QUALIFICATION OVER THE LAST 18 MONTHS

CASE STUDY DISC Deprived groups across Wearside were given the opportunity to use music as part of their personal development thanks to a scheme delivered at The Bunker. DISC (Developing Initiatives Supporting Communities), is an independent North East Charity focusing on deprivation and exclusion.

Initially engaged by The Bunker in 2010 during a 6 month long programme of music workshops funded by the NHS, DISC decided that the success of the programme had such a positive effect on those taking part, that they commissioned a new programme starting in August 2011. A 6 week programme of accredited group workshops, were part of a creditable initiative to combat alcoholism whilst inspiring musical creativity.

YOS/YDAP The Youth Offending Service worked in partnership with The Bunker across the city of Sunderland to provide a range of innovative services to support children and young people from offending or re-offending. The NEET2EET project was one such project delivered through the Bunker which provided creative and artistic learning opportunities for under-18 year old young people. The aim was to engage young people in voluntary, educational activities in an informal, friendly environment.

By participating in the activities, young people gathered evidence that was used to gain nationally recognised qualifications as well as developing their social skills. Over a hundred young people have participated in the programme over the past 3 years with many of those above school age progressing onto work, education or training in areas ranging from the army to art college as well as a variety of local training providers.

1991 - Current Managing Director, Kenny Sanger, begins rehearsing regularly at The Bunker in his band The Sweetshop.

1992 - “It’s a Fine Day” by Opus 3 tops the U.S. Hot Dance Club Play chart and reaches number 5 in the UK Singles Chart.

1994 - Alt-pop group Kenickie are formed and launch on the world from The Bunker, sparking the career of BBC Radio 6music DJ, Lauren Laverne.

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BUSINESS Over the past decade, The Bunker has been commissioned to coordinate and provide provision for scores of large scale music events in Sunderland, marking the birth of an entirely new set of staff skills and services, as well as an increasingly varied cultural calendar for Wearside.

“ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING THINGS

For the last 5 years Sunderland City Council has commissioned the services of The Bunker to deliver a programme of summer music events. ‘Sunderland Live’, and its accompanying Fringe Events have grown to attract a record number of bands and spectators to Wearside each year, showcasing the cultural face of the city and providing quality free entertainment for the local community.

GROWTH AND THE VIBRANCY OF THE

Since the City’s annual Split Festival began in 2009, The Bunker has played an integral role in its organisation and management. Our Live and Event Management Team makes up the core of support staff involved in the festival weekend, as well as developing the events which lead up to it.

NATIONAL RECOGNITION. ONE OF THE

The Bunker also works closely with local schools, colleges and the University of Sunderland in providing professional rehearsal and recording facilities, as well as acting as a placement provider through Connexions and delivering nationally recognised qualifications through the Open College Network.

Our Event Management and Live teams are available to deliver a range of high quality packages, ranging from dry hire to a complete service which includes set-up operation and management of live music and arts related audio/visual events.

THAT HAS HAPPENED IN SUNDERLAND OVER RECENT YEARS HAS BEEN THE

MUSIC SCENE. NEW MUSICIANS HAVE EMERGED AND ALREADY ESTABLISHED MUSICIANS HAVE GONE ON TO RECEIVE

KEY ELEMENTS OF THIS HAS BEEN THE BUNKER. IT HAS PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN BRINGING MUSICIANS TOGETHER AND GIVING THEM A FANTASTIC PLACE TO CREATE AND DEVELOP THEIR MUSIC. ITS INFLUENCE SPREADS FAR BEYOND SUNDERLAND TO THE NORTH EAST REGION AND BEYOND. LONG MAY IT THRIVE AND FLOURISH.” Paul Callaghan - Chair of the Leighton Group / Chair of ONE North East / Chair of the University of Sunderland

1995 - Sunderland’s music workshops are is flourishing the emergence of Bunker based bands Field Music and The Futureheads.

1997 -Sunderland act, Olive, hit the Top 40 and play Top of the Pops 3 times.

1998 - A serious threat of closure sees phenomenal support from the community and a donation from John Peel to help pay utility bills.

2000 Sunde Projec local b music

06 IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS THE BUNKER HAS PROGRAMMED OVER 25 OUTDOOR FESTIVALS AND EVENTS IN THE REGION

OVER THE LAST 3 YEARS THE BUNKER HAVE PROVIDED OVER 500 BANDS/ARTISTS FOR LIVE EVENTS IN SUNDERLAND

CASE STUDY Sunderland Live The Bunker have been commissioned by Sunderland City Council over the last five summers to coordinate, deliver and manage the biggest Summer Festival events the city has ever staged. The Bunker’s Live, Promotion and Event Management Teams were hired to lead the co-ordination and delivery of ‘Sunderland Live’, liaising with over 100 bands across three weekends of free live events and street performances including Squares and Corners, ‘Party In The Park’, ‘Sunderland Soul and Funk’ and ‘Sounds Of Park Lane’. In 2011 The Bunker again worked alongside Sunderland City Council to deliver a music programme at the Christmas Lights ‘Switch On’ and Sunniside Street Market.

Further Education The Bunker is a training hub for a number of educational institutions across the city. The University of Sunderland have several productive business links with The Bunker ranging from developing their media relations, student development and vocational training as well as enabling partnerships with the likes of Spark FM. Throughout schools in Wearside, The Bunker staff and volunteers regularly deliver music and art based qualifications as well as hiring out the professional facilities at Stockton Road to local educational establishments who wish to allow their students the experience of working in a professional environment used by working musicians, technicians, producers and DJs.

2000 - The Bunker is put up for sale by Sunderland Community Arts & Music Project despite efforts from many local businesses and Sunderland-born musician, Dave Stewart.

2001 - Current owners of 29 Stockton Road step in and re-open The Bunker just before it is sold and redeveloped.

2002 - The Bunker magazine emerges as the new team develop a fresh outlook for the new millenium.

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PARTNERS Throughout the Bunkers long history, key partners have been essential to identifying opportunities and ensuring our continued development as a successful organisation.

“SUNDERLAND IS A CITY WITH A REAL

Today we have a range of business relationships with partners ranging from local media outlets, fellow development organisations and leading arts and creativity departments in Sunderland. The Bunker has a longstanding working relationship with local newspaper The Sunderland Echo and radio station Sun FM but as well as our work with these established media outlets we strongly support local music magazine Manifesto.

A THRIVING LIVE MUSIC SCENE. THE

Since Sunderland’s community radio station first began broadcasting ias Radio Utopia, to its relaunch as Spark FM at the new £12 million City Space Building, The Bunker has contributed to a platform where local people are able to inform the community of news and events as well as providing an accessible medium with localised programming. The Bunker’s work with Generator, the UKs leading Music Development Agency, has allowed both parties to join forces and cement a unified voice for the promotion of music development and industry education in Sunderland through free music training, seminars, events and music advice clinics at local venues.

Developing partnerships with agencies closer to home has also allowed us to deliver further free events for the people of Wearside. Specifically our partnerships with the likes of Youth Offending Service, YMCA, SNCBC, Box Project and The Sunderland Music Workshops, have allowed us to target the education and development of our local youths.

BUZZ ABOUT IT AT THE MOMENT, AND

CITY’S EMERGING MUSICAL TALENT JUST KEEPS ON GROWING, WITH THE LIKES OF THE FUTUREHEADS AND FRANKIE AND THE HEARTSTRINGS PUTTING SUNDERLAND ON THE MAP. THESE BANDS, AND MANY OTHER MUSICIANS, WOULD NOT HAVE FOUND THEIR WAY TO MUSICAL SUCCESS IF IT HAD NOT HAVE BEEN FOR THE SUPPORT, FACILITIES AND ALL IMPORTANT NURTURING ENVIRONMENT THAT THE BUNKER HAS PROVIDED OVER THE YEARS. LONG MAY THE SWEET SOUND OF SUCCESS RAIN OVER THE BUNKER.” Councillor John Kelly - Portfolio holder for ‘Safer City and Culture’, Sunderland City Council

2003 - The Sunderland Music Awards take place at Manor Quay hosted by The Bunker and attended by the local music and business community.

2004 - The Bunker develops it’s live promotion arm working with many emerging UK artists including Snow Patrol, Kaiser Chiefs and Kasabian.

2004 - Bunkeruk Records releases its 1st limited edition 7” vinyl, The Infidels ‘Ghost Train’.

2005 warm Week new n

08 500 ITEMS OF MUSICAL EQUIPMENT WERE HIRED OUT FROM THE BUNKER DURING 2011

150 VULNERABLE YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ASSISTED VIA THE BUNKER’S PARTNERSHIP WORK

CASE STUDY Generator Generator provides training and opportunities for businesses and those involved in the music industry to continue their professional development as well as network with others to develop links within the local music business community. In 2005 The Bunker were asked to join forces with Generator to provide a platform for Sunderland businesses to enjoy the same opportunities. The Bunker has gone on to host a number of well attended, successful events including Music Business to Music Business, Plugged Inn, a panel led event for Live Music Promotion, as well as co-ordinating the one to one Music Clinic’s with industry experts.

The overall aim of the partnership was to bring together two of our regions key agencies and enable music based learning and connections throughout the North East.

SUN FM Wearside’s longest running radio station identified that The Bunker, as a professional organisation capable of providing a reliable and regular service to co-ordinate and run some of their biggest events. In the past, The Bunker have provided recognised personalities of the local music scene to sit on panels for large showcase events sponsored by Sun FM. The station’s events team regularly look to employ our fantastically trained live and event management teams to manage, amongst others, their ‘Battle Of The Bands’ events. This year, The Bunker was recognised for their work, winning the ‘Local Community Project Award of 2011’ at the Sun FM Business Awards.

2005 - The Bunker co-ordinates the warm up events for Radio One’s ‘Big Weekend’ as it is launched under it’s new name in Sunderland.

2006 - The Bunker release Live at The Voodoo Room double-album which scores 8.5 /10 in NME.

2007 - The Bunker forms a Community Interest Company and again becomes a Community Project.

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TEAM The Bunker have assembled a vastly experienced team who work hard to provide services, advice and support to Sunderland’s creative community. Throughout the years, staff have provided the skills and assistance to enable the use of music as a tool to tackle cultural and social barriers with the aim of achieving a positive outcome.

Those who have spent time working for or on behalf of The Bunker have gone on to be successful in the wider music, business and community sectors, whilst maintaining their ties to Bunker projects . Others have graduated from volunteer roles to become part of the strong, experienced and integral Bunker team.

MANAGING/OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Kenny Sanger THE BOARD Chris Hair Peter Brewis Chris Watt Dave Logan Phil Jarvis OPERATIONS TEAM Emma Howe - Media Executive Daniel Lowes - Promotions Assitant Liam Huitson - Studio Assistant Seb Otigbah - Studio Assistant Steve Fay - Youth Worker Ronny McCully - Maintenance Joanne Reid - Maintenance Paul Graham - Maintenance LIVE TEAM Dave Stark Matthew Cutter Nathan Wood Chris Blacklock TRAINING DELIVERY Gavin McClary Nicola Maxwell Chris Harris Frank Styles VOLUNTEERS Nicola Wright Sam Gallagher Brian Bradley Hannah Ward Scott Vincent Amy Swann Michael Redhead Plus many more who help throughout the year

2008 - Manifesto magazine launched in a bid to support the newly formed Sunderland Music Forum and the local music scene.

2008 - The Bunker are contracted to deliver the first ever ‘Sunderland Live’ on behalf of Sunderland City Council.

2009 - The inaugural SPLIT Festival takes place at Ashbrooke and The Bunker team provide help and support to launch Sunderland’s cool new event.

10 33% OF BUNKER VOLUNTEERS HAVE GONE ONTO ROLES IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY

N THE LAST YEAR THE BUNKER HAVE SUPPLIED WORK PLACEMENTS TO OVER 50 STUDENTS AND 40 UNEMPLOYED LOCAL PEOPLE

THE FUTURE As The Bunker looks forward to the years ahead, we have reviewed our strategic aims and objectives to develop business and the local community as well as maintaining the high standards we have set in the last 30 years as an organisation.

OUR AIMS AND OBJECTIVES FOR 2012:

HOW WE WILL DO THIS:

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Ensure we are in the best possible position to support our client group, the local music community Build on our reputation and further cement our place as the central hub for music across Wearside To provide invaluable experience to volunteers in a variety of settings Offer support to a variety of target clients including pre-start businesses, self-employed, freelance practitioners and small businesses.

To embed the music sector in regional, economic, social, cultural and creative strategies

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Provide an unrivalled service to musicians/venues/ businesses in Sunderland Continue our ‘joint thinking’ approach with partners to provide opportunities in Sunderland Continued use of music as a tool to aide in community development through projects with community based organisations and charities Take innovative approaches to ensure we stay at the forefront of the region’s creative industry Continued professional development of staff Funding to achieve these objectives We need funding to achieve these objectives

WHAT THIS WILL LEAD TO: • • • •

2010 - The Bunker become the first recipients of the Creative Industries Award at the Sunderland Echo’s Portfolio Business Awards.

Support and development structures for musicians, businesses and venues Support from the music sector and key partners Regional development partnerships identified and strengthened Promote quality, diversity and access

2011 - Another award follows a year later at Sun FM’s Local Business Awards with recognition as Community Project Of The Year.

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HOW TO GET INVOLVED? We rely on local businesses to support us in achieving our aims and objectives, and there are many ways in which they can help from using our services, to making donations to spreading the word about the work we do.

We also couldn’t survive without the many volunteers who help out be it a few hours each week or almost every day. Together we can develop the music scene in Sunderland whilst providing more opportunities for the deprived in what is such a difficult time for us all.

Please get in touch with our Managing Director to see how you can contribute, we look forward to hearing from you.

The Bunker 29 Stockton Road Sunderland SR2 7AQ www.bunkeruk.com t: 0191 567 1777 e: info@bunkeruk.com