Soundcraft quickly came to the rescue, supplying one of the company's popular GigRac 600 fully-featured 8-channel amp mixers, and six AKG D880 mics. Soundcraft supported the band through their rehearsals - which took place inside the Hatfield Coroner's Court - before the main fund-raising event, organised by Hertfordshire Police Officers at nearby Stanborough School.
Spurred on by a mention on Terry Wogan's radio show (which resulted in a Good Luck card from Mark Knopfler), and led by semi-pro musician (and manager of Hertfordshire Coroner's Unit), Steve Charteris, the group's 25 minute choregraphed set included '60s and '70 s standards like Mustang Sally, Hard Day's Night, Eight Days a Week and We Will Rock You plus the highlight - a specially written theme song Grim Reaper, Leave Our Folks Alone (based on Pink Floyd's The Wall).
Keith Watson of Soundcraft said: "We were delighted to have helped out. We couldn't have sat back and seen the Coroners' debut concert die an accidental death."
The sale of special T-shirts boosted the group's fund-raising activities - which raised nearly £2,500. The Deathwatch Beetles have already been offered a follow-up gig during the Christmas period, which will raise further funds.
(Lee Baldock)
