her and her partner Rob in Stubbeylee Park, Bacup, Lancashire on the

11th August.  Sophie and Rob dressed in their unique way, expressing their individuality as creative artistic people.

Vocalist Simon Hall wrote the lyrics for the song "Never Take Us Down" after this horrific and senseless murder and when it was finally put to  music and recorded it became apparent that the lyrics, and song itself, spoke volumes for the beliefs of so many who live their lives in an alternative culture.

From this point on the band then approached Sophie's immediate family and offered the song to them to get their approval.  This they graciously did and from here on they looked at using this as a tool to get the message out to all those who need to hear.

Vocalist Simon Hall said.......

“On hearing the news of Sophie's murder it sent shock waves around not only my immediate friends and family, but more so to all those who  choose to be part of an.... alternative lifestyle culture.  From an early age my thoughts on stereo typical perceptions of how people should look, act and conform have been strong in the belief that we are free spirited individuals, and simply because we look a certain way - does not make us bad people............Unfortunately this is not the way society views this and therefore I had to put pen to paper”.

By doing this we Beholder hope to retain awareness of the fact that this, and many other attacks, are not simply crimes of unprovoked aggression - They are Hate Crimes.  Let’s face it If this attack was to take place for a religious or ethnic reasoning then would it not be classed as a Hate Crime?

In Sylvia's words (Sophie's Mother) ......

"The thing that makes me most angry is that it is seen as an isolated incident, maybe the seriousness of what happened to Sophie is isolated, but attacks are far from isolated.  Just because you follow a different.... culture you are targeted; you are seen as easy pickings."

We must not forget that Sophie's murder, as brutal and as unnecessary as it was, it is not an isolated incident.  Thankfully these incidents rarely result in death, but they still remain, and therefore Beholder will do all we can to keep the awareness of such crimes until the Law recognises that these Hate Crimes must not be tolerated and must be eradicated.

With your support and the pledge of both Begolder and Lime Records, who are both donating ALL PROCEEDS from the sale of the single, we are hoping that "Never Take Us Down" will be a fitting tribute to a wonderful family and a worthy campaign.  

Further to this Beholder will be headlining the “Sophie Lancaster Stage” at this years Bloodstock Open Air, which again is a stage kindly renamed by Bloodstock in her memory.

Should you require any further information on The Band, The Single or The Sophie Lancaster Foundation please feel free to contact...

www.myspace.com/inmemoryofsophie

www.myspace.com/beholderuk

MAY 11TH - LET YOURSELF BE HEARD

"NEVER TAKE US DOWN"