Wexford heavy metal band to raise funds for Palestine – ‘No one should turn away when people are facing starvation'

Irish Independent

18-07-2025

On Saturday, July 12, 12 Gauge Outrage, who have been releasing music for 11 years, treated the audience to a stellar performance of their latest EP entitled Echoes Within in the Presentation Centre in Enniscorthy.
'On July 12, we launched our fifth studio album Echoes Within at the Presentation Arts Centre in Enniscorthy, performing to a full house alongside local heavyweights Death Can Wait, The Zonai, and Limerick's War Of Attrition. The night marked an important step in the next chapter of the band, with a string of upcoming shows planned to support the release,' said member Ciaran Byrne on behalf of the group.
He said that the proceeds from their second single and following events will be going directly to The Sameer Project; a London based mutual aid group that has donated more than a million litres of clean water to the people of Gaza.
"One of those shows will take place in Kelly's on the Corner, Wexford Town, a special gig in support of the Sameer Project, raising funds for humanitarian aid in Palestine. We're teaming up with Al Wadi Falafel for the night, tickets are €5 on the door, with proceeds from ticket sales and donations going directly to the cause. This will take place on Saturday, September 20, from 6 p.m. till late. Ahead of this, we also released 'The World We Burn Through,' dedicated to the fundraiser, with 100 per cent of the proceeds to be donated.
The Sameer Project is working with in-region teams working on the ground to provide emergency aid in the form of food, water, medical help, diapers, and formula to internally displaced families. They purchase these essential goods in bulk and distribute them equitably based on urgent need assessments through their operations in North, Central and South Gaza.
A big part of their ethos centres on restoring dignity to the families, emphasising that they are not statistics, but human beings.
On their Chuffed fundraiser page they wrote: 'The healthcare situation in Gaza is a catastrophe. Not only is life-saving medication and supplies prohibited from entering, for the large part so are medical missions with foreign doctor and nurse delegates, and medical evacuations have been few and far between, preventing those who need care from leaving. Yet the bombing, the shootings, the famine, the fighting, chronic illnesses...none of this has stopped.'
The organisation suffered a loss in 2024 as their original fundraising platform GoFundMe shut down their fundraiser after it reached over £250,000 citing that they violated terms and conditions. The large sum of money was then returned to the original donors.
Their current platform on Chuffed, which they established soon after, has currently raised £77,601 of their £100,000 target.
Ciaran explained that they want to use whatever platform they have to bring attention to the ongoing crisis in Palestine.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Regardless of political views, we believe no one should turn away when people are facing starvation, daily bombings, and violations of basic human rights. If you have a platform to reach others, it should be used to make a difference. Music is a powerful tool, and we want to use ours to help ensure vital aid — like medical supplies and food — reaches those who need it most.'
He added that besides humanitarian support, they have a long history of supporting emerging artists in the local community of Wexford.
"Beyond the music, 12 Gauge Outrage has also been active in supporting the local scene through Outrage Entertainment, an initiative led by band members Bryan and Richard. The project offers a space for young people and emerging bands to perform, helping to grow the local music community and encourage new talent across Wexford,' he said.