Thomas Martin-Sarre & Robots. Dancing. Alone.
HOW WE STARTED OUT
Thomas Martin-Sarre was born to Sarah Martin and Jason Sarre in Guernsey, Channel Islands on Saturday 10th August 1996. In February 2012, Thomas as a 15-year-old was diagnosed with a rare form of childhood cancer - Rhabdomyosarcoma. Children's cancer treatment cannot take place on the island of Guernsey, therefore Thomas was referred to Piam Brown in Southampton General Hospital. He then embarked on a treatment plan consisting of chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy. In October 2012, Thomas was given the all-clear and was moved onto monthly check-ups in Guernsey. By April 2013, the cancer had returned in the form of two tumour masses in his stomach. He was immediately referred back to Piam Brown. In December 2013, he was once again given the all-clear, but with a years maintenance program to keep it from returning. In May 2014, it was discovered the cancer had returned a third time. Thomas was then transferred to the Teenage Cancer Trust as Piam Brown only supports children from birth to the age of 16. Chemotherapy was used to try and control it, however he then made the brave decision to stop treatment as it was proving ineffective. On the 26th August 2014, Thomas passed away.
Robots. Dancing. Alone.
In June 2019, Methodical Madness was put together by Benjamin Duddy. In Thomas' memory, Benjamin and Eloise Martin-Sarre decided to work on a project to spread awareness and raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust. The idea for the album came about in early June, but recording didn't start until mid-July, giving the team slightly over a month before the set release date of the 26th August (5 years to the date Thomas Martin-Sarre passed away). All profits of the album went to the Teenage Cancer Trust and it is believed just under £2000 was donated both locally and nationally.
The album originally had 14 tracks, all apart from the introductory track are covers. When asked, a spokesperson from the band said, "we were aiming to do a couple of original songs but with the time constraints it just wouldn't have been possible".