A DUNFERMLINE band have dedicated their debut album to their late guitarist after his recent death.

Alan Cormie will have his dream of having a record out on vinyl come true when Aye Hobos release Cunk It Up in his honour this summer.

The band posted on March 13 the devastating news that Alan, nicknamed 'Alabama', had died.

Aye Hobos had just completed an online crowdfunder for the album as lead singer, James Ward, found out that a brain aneurysm he had suffered from in 2011 had recurred.

He underwent surgery in March last year and started the collection while waiting for his second round of surgery.

“Finding out the aneurysm was still in my brain, growing, and that I needed surgery again was a worry,” said James.

“But I thought of the surgery as essential maintenance, like taking your car to the garage.

"It was nothing like the first aneurysm.

"Concentrating on getting the album done was something to focus on instead of worrying about the surgery. I wanted to get back on my feet so I could be there at the front line with the band.”

Tragically, before the album was released, guitarist Alan died after a short illness.

James said they were devastated at the loss of their bandmate and will dedicate the album in his memory.

“We’re all still in shock at Alan’s passing," he commented.

"Like the rest of us, Alan couldn’t have been any happier that we were finally getting this album made.

"Having an album out on vinyl was a particular dream of his.

"Dedicating Cunk It Up to Alan ‘Alabama’ Cormie is something we all wanted to do.

“I’d been playing in bands since the ’80s when I had the first aneurysm and it gave me the push to get into music more seriously.

"It was all practice for the Aye Hobos though which we set up around three years ago.

"Finally, we had the line-up we’d been working towards for years. Graeme Smed Smith on bass; myself on keyboard and lead vocals; Scotty Boy Watson on drums and Alan Cormie on guitar. To lose Alan now is devastating.”

The Dunfermline band play a mixture of country and punk, a type of music they’ve termed ‘cunk’, hence the name of their debut album.

The pandemic and cancelled shows meant that self-funding the album wasn’t possible so James had to think of an alternative means to raise cash.

He said: "2020 was going to be our big year. We had to cancel shows in Germany, England and Ireland.

"Because of the pandemic, the band wasn’t working so the money wasn’t coming in but we still wanted to get the album made. We’re not serious at all but we are serious about the music we make.

“We raised the full amount we needed to produce the album in just 20 days.

"Without Collection Pot, the album would never have been made, and we’re so grateful to everyone that donated and that we managed to make the album as a four-piece with Alan. It’s even more precious to us now.”

With the £1,333 raised, the band will release their debut album dedicated to Alan Cormie on both CD and vinyl this summer and details will be posted on their Facebook page.