The gale force winds and driving rain of Sunday 6 January didn't stop Waterside House supporters and Alabama 3 fans alike from making their way to Dock 8 Bar for a brilliant acoustic gig from four members of the famous band.

Sweet sounds of Alabama: Members of Alabama 3 on stage at the Dock 8 Bar, where they played a benefit concert in aid of COPE's Waterside House on Sunday night, 6 January. The secret gig, which saw just 150 people in attendance, was a rare treat for all of their Galway fans.

The band rocked into town to play an initiate gig for Galway charity COPE. The night, which saw 160 fans enjoying the Alabama sounds, managed to raise a whopping €3,000 for COPE.

Most people will be familiar with Alabama 3 from their hit single 'Woke up this Morning', the theme song for the Sopranos series, which is now recognised as a gangster anthem. However, their long time fans and supporters know that the song was written by Robert Spragg (aka Larry Love) as a tribute to Sara Thornton who served time in a London jail for killing her abusive husband after years of brutal beatings. She was only freed after a long battle by her family and friends to have her released.

That was one of the connections with Waterside House; COPE's refuge for women and children who experience domestic violence, and the other connection is that their manager Jonathan Allen is a brother of Laurie Walsh who works full time at Waterside House.

Dock 8 Bar was turned into an intimate venue for the gig and as lead singer Rob said, "It really gave us a chance to get up close and personal with our Galway fans and the banter throughout the gig was brilliant. We really enjoyed ourselves and the fans really responded. The venue was spot on for this type of gig. We've been in Galway about 15 times and this was one of our best nights. We are delighted to be able to help the people at Waterside House."

The band were joined on stage by two of their long time friends, Gerry Conlon of the Guilford Four, and Paddy Hill of the Birmingham Six. Gerry Conlon told their fans that Alabama 3 were long time supporters of the campaigns to have all ten freed from jail. He then read a piece dedicated to his mother and grandmother from his book. Paddy Hill also paid tribute to the band for their support throughout their incarceration.

All four members of the band, Rob, the brilliant singer Zoe Devlin, guitar player Mark Sams (aka Rock Freebase) and harmonica player Nick Reynolds, gave their all throughout the two hour gig and the energy inside this new venue equalled what the elements had put together outside.

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