The Co-operative aim for Christmas Number 1 spot with charity single

The Co-operative Group's Chief Executive is making a bid for the UK's Christmas Number 1 spot with a charity record in aid of Mencap.

Angel Square, which features Chief Executive Peter Marks on drums, will be fighting for the top spot with Nirvana, TOWIE and even The Wombles tipped as contenders to challenge the X-Factor for the Christmas number one spot.

The Co-operative Group's charity of the year, Mencap, will be the beneficiaries of the release, with proceeds helping to raise money for young people with a learning disability.

The eight-piece outfit, which takes its name from the address of the Group's new headquarters set to open next year, features staff from across the society including food, finance and the head office legal department. 

Joining Peter Marks in the band and recording their version of the Take That hit ‘Greatest Day’ are Trevor Ashworth, Director of food retail logistics, on keys; Lee Braddock who is responsible for the Food Supply Chain, on bass, Eivind Brown in IS and planning on rhythm guitar and, Dan Zambas from the finance department who plays lead guitar and snyths.

In addition, vocals are provided by Kat Harper who works in food media and communications, Caroline McCann from the Group’s legal department and, Dan Harley, a category merchandiser within the food division who is the band's musical director and lead vocalist.

Listen to a clip of the song:

Tonight, a sell-out show will launch the single at Band on the Wall in Manchester, where the band will play a full set including hits by Maroon 5, The Black Eyed Peas and The Rolling Stones.

Keen drummer Peter Marks, said: “I was once quoted as saying that if I wasn’t at The Co-operative, the only other job I would be interested in would be drumming for The Rolling Stones! I knew that the idea of a band formed entirely from co-operative colleagues had the potential to support our charity of the year. Given the great talent I see day in and day out in our business, I believed that we could form a really good band, but even my own high expectations have been surpassed by the talent in Angel Square.

“At a time when the co-operative business model is very much in fashion, the United Nations has proclaimed 2012 to be the International Year of Co-operatives and there are approaching one billion members of co-operatives worldwide . . . maybe, just maybe, we could give X-Factor a run for its money!”

The single was recorded at Manchester’s School of Sound Recording (SSR) in November and released for digital download by record label Revolver who, in their 30 year history have worked with a diverse array of artists including fellow Mancunian band The Stone Roses.

• Download the song from iTunes and all good digital music stores for 79p.