British feedback machine Ned’s Atomic Dustbin – the name was taken from The Goon Show – formed in the West Midlands in 1988 and after dubious Goth beginnings they toured for over a year as the opening act for The Wonder Stuff, Pop Will Eat Itself and Jesus Jones – exposure which helped their reputation as a live band bursting with energy band enthusiasm.
In return, their album God Fodder (1991) – which included their #1 UK indie hit Kill Your Television – became a steady alternate seller. Featuring duelling basses, hyperkinetic drums (and uniformly crimped hair) the album merged danceable grooves with punk energy, thrilling a legion of skate punks and stage divers.
Armed with a plethora of original merchandising ideas – within three years the band produced 86 different t-shirt designs – they released their second album, Are You Normal? in 1992, which was promoted by the singles Not Sleeping Around, Intact and, in some European countries, Walking Through Syrup.
Their final album, Brainbloodvolume (1995), boasted a more diverse sound than their previous releases, moving away from the distinctive twin bass set-up to incorporate samplers and keyboards.
The group disbanded in October 1995. They reunited in 2008 and continued to play event-style gigs with other 1990s indie bands, such as the Nedstock shows in Leeds, Birmingham and London.
Jonn Penney
Vocals
Gareth “Rat” Pring
Guitar
Alex Griffin
Lead bass
Matt Cheslin
Second bass
Dan Worton
Drums
