Ultimate Thunder: Music industry rallies to help Leeds rock band

Leeds band Ultimate Thunder played the Brudenell Social Club on Saturday

A rock band predominantly made up of people with learning disabilities say they face an uncertain future after funding came to an end.

Ultimate Thunder, from Leeds, will soon release their second album, which was supported by Arts Council England.

Members say they may have unknowingly played their final concert on Saturday after learning a series of grant bids were unsuccessful.

A crowdfunding campaign was set up and aims to help the band carry on.

Backers include Tim Burgess from the Charlatans, Leeds band Yard Act and the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds, where the band played last weekend.

"The news came through on Saturday just after the gig, so we've only got one more rehearsal together booked," said band producer James Mabbett.

"It's going to be tough, it's these guys' lives - they live for making music and getting together."

A community interest company has been set up to support Ultimate Thunder and work with other artists who face "barriers to making music in the traditional industry", Mr Mabbett said.

"It's not like a regular band, there's a lot more organisation and people involved - it takes more time and it's more expensive to run."

The online fund has raised more than £20,000, with more than 1,000 supporters.

The Leeds charity Pyramid, which has supported members of the band since they formed, thanked those who had donated.

"We want to do everything we can to continue to support them," charity director James Hill said.

"As a charity we put in a lot of funding bids all of the time, some of which would have meant we could have carried on in supporting this - and those haven't been successful."

Discussing the two albums the band have recorded, Mr Hill said: "They are ground-breaking, amazing records that are getting airplay all over the world."

Mr Mabbett said: "It's their outlet, it's how they express themselves and they have this incredible rapport when they get together and it's amazing to watch.

"When they're playing it's like nothing else exists, it's magical really."

A spokesperson for Arts Council England said: "We welcome applications from Pyramid for future projects and would be very happy to talk to them about further support for Ultimate Thunder.

"It is important to note that competition for this particular fund is very high and unfortunately we are unable to fund all the good applications we receive."