Chart experience ‘a learning curve’

Virgin Soldiers, whose members hail from Battle, Hastings and Kent, were aiming to get their debut single Moon Song into at least the top 100, with ambitions to become only the twelfth unsigned act to make it into the top 40.

But technical problems with downloads and pre-ordered copies of the single saw Moon Song make its debut in the top 400.

However there was some good news as the band reached number 19 in the Independent Breakers Singles Chart and number three in the Amazon Rock Chart, just below Coldplay and Ed Sheeran.

Singer/songwriter James Beeny, who founded Virgin Soldiers, says the band were pleased with how their debut single performed and saw the experience as “a learning curve”.

James, who was born in Hastings and grew up in Battle, said: “It’s the first single we have had out and we are really pleased with how things are going.

“It was a learning curve but we will have a better idea of where we are going next time.”

He added: “Had we not had these technical problems we would have come very close to coming in the top 100-150.

“But getting to number 19 in this Independent Breakers Chart is a huge thing and we are very appreciative of all the support people have given us.”

The beginning of Moon Song features the famous line uttered by astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the moon.

Neil died just five days after the single was released, adding an extra poignancy to the track, which the band dedicated to the astronaut at a recent gig.

Virgin Soldiers will be hitting the recording studio again shortly to record a cover of Linkin Park’s track Numb.

James says the band hopes the song will appeal to fans of the original and draw in new fans with the band’s own unique take on the song.

An internet campaign will accompany Numb, which could be released as a single in October.

Meanwhile the band has plenty of gigs lined up, performing at a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Battle Branch of Cancer Research UK at Crowhurst Park on September 12, followed by the Dragon Boat Festival in Bewl Water on September 16, a concert at the E M Forster Theatre at Tonbridge School on September 21 and supporting the legendary Joan Armatrading at the Kings Theatre, Portsmouth, on October 8.