EVER fancied tattooing your name on a former Warrington Music Festival headliner?

That is one of the 'perks' on offer from Roughneck Riot in their bid to raise money for a new van.

The folk punk band had just started a European tour with Norwich band Faintest Idea when their van broke down near Hanover in February.

They had to cancel nine tour dates in Germany, Poland and Belgium.

Frontman Matty Humphries, a former Padgate High School pupil, said: "We couldn’t afford to rent a new van and get home. It had to be one or the other.

"So we ended up having to come back and scrap the van. It was a really long, horrible journey for everyone."

So the six-piece band decided to launch a crowdfunding page on Indiegogo to help raise £4,000.

They have already been pledged around £3,200 in two weeks.

Matty added: "It’s something we never really wanted to have to do.

"We’ve always funded ourselves but because of the timing and everything it was our own option to keep going and carry on the year as planned.

"It’s really crazy how it’s taken off and how many contributions we’ve already got. It’s been overwhelming really.

"Since we’ve been in the band we’ve always tried to help out everybody else and do as much for the scene as we can

"So it’s good to see we’ve made that impression on people and it’s coming back to help us out

It’s quite amazing that people are giving us money that we don’t know. It’s quite strange.

"We want to say thank you so much to everyone who's helped us.

"I don’t think we can ever repay this. It’s a lot more than giving people money, it’s helping us carry on with our future."

In return for helping Roughneck Riot back on the road fans can get a range of perks from homemade vegan cake to a private acoustic gig.

Pay £80 towards the cause and you can tattoo your name on one of them.

Matty, aged 25, said: "We’ve got a few friends who have clubbed together to get some really embarrassing tattoos for us.

"It’s worth it if someone’s willing to help us carry on as a band."

Matty even put on his best Craig Charles impression for the Roughneck Riot version of Robot Wars to celebrate raising £2,000.

And bassist Ryan Taylor shaved his head and grew facial hair to look like Heisenberg from the hit US drama Breaking Bad after someone paid for it as a 'perk'.

Meanwhile, the band are also celebrating their 10th anniversary with a special concert at the Pyramid.

Their first gig was at the former Highwayman pub in Manchester Road in 2005.

"It's very strange," added Matty, who juggles his time in the band with work as a venue assistant at Parr Hall and caring for disabled children for a St Helens care work agency.

"It’s weird to know it’s been that long and we still feel the same way about it.

"We still want to do it and everyone’s still willing to give up everything else to carry on. The aim is to do it full time."

Roughneck Riot are often described as Warrington's best musical export as they have toured in Germany, Holland, Belgium and France.

They headlined Warrington Music Festival last year alongside Scouting For Girls and Warrington's Blast Tyrant.

"We’re hoping to do a lot more," said Matty.

"We’ve got some people in America and Australia if we can ever afford to get over there.

"And we’re planning to do a lot more in Europe this summer like Spain, Italy, Switzerland and Austria.

"When we go to a new city and there are people who already know us, our lyrics and the history of the band it’s crazy. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that. It makes a horrible long journey worthwhile.

"We’re getting some recognition in town now which is quite cool. It’s good to see so many other Warrington bands making something of themselves as well.

"There seems to be a good community of bands out there."

The 10th anniversary show includes performances by 10 other bands on two stages that Roughneck Riot have handpicked.

Some are travelling from as far as London and Carlisle to be there.

Matty added: "We’ve tried to book bands that we’ve been mates with for a long time and have done a lot for us over those 10 years."

STAGE 1

6pm – 6.30pm A Fish Called

7pm – 7.30pm Jenkem

8pm – 8.30pm Sick Minds

9pm – 9.30pm Faintest Idea

10pm – 10.30pm John Player Specials

11pm – 11.40pm Roughneck Riot

STAGE 2

6.30pm – 7pm Arms & Hearts

7.30pm – 8pm Jake Martin

8.30pm – 9pm Colt 45

9.30pm – 10pm The Lagan

10.30pm – 11pm Joe Yorke

- Tickets are £10. Visit pyramidparrhall.com or call 442345.

- To pledge a donation for the van appeal, visit indiegogo.com/projects/roughneck-riot-out-of-van-grrr--2

DAVID MORGAN