Britain's parliamentary rock band launches album

LONDON, March 17 (Reuters) - Four British legislators who say they are the world's only parliamentary rock band are to launch their first album, "Cross Party".

Transcending political differences through love of music, the four members of parliament (MPs) formed the pioneering band, named MP4, in 2004 and have played a series of live gigs over the years. Influences range from the Beatles to Oasis.

Bass player Ian Cawsey and guitarist Kevin Brennan are from the ruling Labour Party, while drummer Greg Knight is from the opposition Conservative Party. On keyboards, Pete Wishart is from the Scottish National Party.

"We will be the only band ever to split up because of political differences -- if not encouraged to do so first by the British public," Cawsey joked in a telephone interview.

Labour and the Conservatives are at loggerheads ahead of a legislative election expected on May 6, but that did not seem to be affecting band morale, judging by Cawsey's upbeat mood ahead of Thursday's launch event.

Cawsey told Reuters that he was once a professional musician, performing on the cabaret circuit and at working men's clubs. MP4 co-founder Wishart was a member of the Scottish folk-rock band Runrig, who have an international following.

"I was a musician. He was an international rock god with hundreds of groupies," Cawsey said.

The proceeds from sales of "Cross Party" will go to the charity Help for Heroes, which raises funds to care for wounded British soldiers.

The album includes 11 tracks of which eight are original works by MP4. These include "Love's Fire", "I should have said I loved you every day", and "Go away". (Reporting by Estelle Shirbon; editing by Keith Weir)