A Wimbledon musician who has toured Europe with his metal band is writing an album from his home in the YMCA.
By Tom Allnutt, Gemma Ellis, Freddy Mayhew & Helen Turnbull
A Wimbledon musician who has toured Europe with his metal band is writing an album – from his home in the YMCA.
Colin Finlay, 47, stage name ‘Coke’, is the lead guitarist and vocalist of British thrash metal band Virus, who are signed to label Adiction Records.
Colin is now writing the album, Mass Bacteriological Genocide, to be released in September having been inspired by his circumstances.
Colin said: “The YMCA was last the last bastion of hope for me – I really didn’t want to go homeless on the streets.
“The only thing that keeps me going is the music, it’s like drugs to me, I get this high when I’m in the zone.”
The thrasher has passed up a warm bed in his native Scotland to stay in London and pursue his passion for music, even though this passion has seen him homeless and on the streets.
He reached his lowest ebb last year, contemplating suicide before a chance encounter with a man from his home town that showed compassion and gave him a bed for the night.
Colin said: “I struggle with being homeless and have thoughts of suicide.
“Being homeless in London is the lowest of the low.”
YMCA spokesman Daniel Wilson said: “He keeps himself to himself really but when it comes to music he’s a really passionate guy.
“Colin’s always looking to get the other residents involved in his music and that’s great. It’s all about doing something different.
“He wants to get a jam night going – and we’re hopeful that will start this month – and that would be really fantastic.”
Virus last performed at Hammerfest IV in Prestatyn, North Wales, to 3,000 fans.
Colin said his crowning moment was when he stole the limelight from well-known metal band, Skindred.
He explained: “Whilst Skindred’s gig was on, their fans were coming through to see what all the noise was next door.
“One minute it was quite empty and then I thought ‘my god, it’s full’, and they stayed.”
