The Newtown Neurotics hailed from Harlow in Essex; a stereotypically inhospitable and lifeless post-war “new town” of grey concrete and roundabouts (a la Stevenage or Milton Keynes) – from whence came their name.
Coming together in the spring of 1978, their hometown also helped shape their lyrical and political stance. The Neurotics were rabidly anti-Thatcher, and stood firmly up for what they believed in while producing powerful but tuneful punk anthems such as Licensing House, Living With Unemployment, and the mighty Kick Out The Tories (May 1982).
The Neurotics became increasingly involved in the agit-pop and ranting poetry scenes throughout the 80s, regularly playing at benefits alongside the likes of Attila the Stockbroker.
Their debut album, Beggars Can Be Choosers, was an entertaining yet pertinent mix of scathing observation and new wave power and produced a cover of The Ramones‘ Blitzkrieg Bop. Suzie is a Heartbreaker (1984) once more had hints of The Ramones.
The band then dropped the “Newtown” from their name, signing to Jungle Records and releasing Repercussions (1985).
The Neurotics turned up occasionally during the late 80s while the new decade was celebrated with 45 Revolutions Per Minute, a singles compilation of the band’s “twelve blazing rock anthems” from 1979 to 1984.
From 1986, The Neurotics became one of the first Western bands to play behind the Iron Curtain, with successive tours of East Germany alongside artists like Billy Bragg and Attila the Stockbroker.
When bassist Colin Dredd contracted pleurisy, he left the band. “Mac” was brought in to play bass for some farewell shows and the band called it quits in October 1988.
The band reformed as The Newtown Neurotics for reunion shows in London and Brighton leading up to Blackpool’s 2006 ‘Wasted’ and 2008 ‘Rebellion’ punk festivals, their biggest British audiences to date. A new rhythm section of David Walsh (Drums) and Adam Smith (Bass) backed Steve Drewett from 2007.
Original bassist, Colin Dredd (Masters) died on 19 May 2015.
Steve Drewett Vocals, guitar
Colin Dredd (Masters)
Bass Tiggy Barber Drums
Simon O’Brien
Drums
Related Posts
Suicidal Tendencies Suicidal Tendencies were formed in Venice, California in 1981 as a punk/hardcore band, and virtually came to define the phrase "skate-punk."…
Anti-Nowhere League In good punk tradition, the Anti-Nowhere League formed in Kent, England, in 1980 out of sheer boredom. The band members…
Specials, The/Special AKA Though short-lived, The Specials Mk I were punk's multi-racial idealism made flesh. The group came together almost by osmosis, gathering…
Red Guitars Formed in 1982, Red Guitars delivered great tunes, had the left-wing political credentials to become NME darlings and were defiantly independent, releasing…
Haircut 100 Formed in Kent in 1980, Haircut 100 lit up the charts in 1981 and 1982 with music so cuddly and…
Attila The Stockbroker After graduating from the University of Kent with a degree in French, this performance poet (born John Baine on 21…
Crass Crass was formed in 1978 by Steve Ignorant and Penny Rimbaud, who lived a commune-type life in a farmhouse called Dial…
Cretones, The The Cretones were a Los Angeles-based new wave and power pop group in the early 1980s. Led by singer/guitarist Mark…
