Also known as The Neurotics Labels Jungle Records Genres Punk rock, Post-punk | Years active 1979–1988
2006–present Record label Jungle Records | |
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Past members Colin Dredd
Don Adams
David Walsh
Tig Barber Origin Harlow, United Kingdom (1979) Albums Beggars Can Be Choosers Members Steve Drewett, Colin Masters, Simon Lomond, David Walsh, Don Adams, Tig Barber Similar Attila the Stockbroker, !Action Pact!, Billy Bragg, Abrasive Wheels, Chron Gen Profiles | ||
The Newtown Neurotics (later just The Neurotics) are an English punk rock/post-punk group formed in Harlow, Essex, England, in 1979. They are noted for their openly political music.
Contents
- History
- Post break up
- Reformation
- Album discography
- Compilations featuring Neurotics Tracks
- Songs
- References
History
As The Newtown Neurotics, the band began their career playing punk heavily indebted stylistically to The Clash and The Ramones. They released a series of singles from 1979 – later collected on the album 45 Revolutions per Minute – and debut album Beggars Can Be Choosers in 1983. Over the course of the 1980s, the band dropped the "Newtown" from its name and became simply The Neurotics; along with the name change came a stylistic broadening, including slower tempos and horn arrangements. They released several albums on noted UK postpunk label Jungle Records including Repercussions in 1986 and Is Your Washroom Breeding Bolsheviks in 1988.
Lead singer and guitarist Steve Drewett took openly socialist stances in his lyrics throughout the course of the band's career and currently displays an anarcho-syndicalist sticker on his guitar. 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 (Travis Cut /The Pharaohs /The Skabilly Rebels) was brought in to play bass for some farewell shows (at which the band's entire catalogue was played), and the band called it quits in October 1988.
Post break-up
Drewett went on to form "Afropunk" band The Indestructible Beat, which disbanded in 1995. Drewett also played sporadic solo gigs, including visits to North Korea and Cuba. He released his debut solo album KuJenga Society in 2015.
Reformation
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) (Both from Harlow Newtown) backed Steve Drewett from 2007, including an appearance in the Empress Ballroom, Blackpool for the 2009 Rebellion Festival. In 2010 Steve Drewett made his first US appearance, playing at The Big Takeover magazine's 30th Anniversary festival.
In 2015 Simon Lomond rejoined the band for a string of dates including a return to the Rebellion Festival. Original bassist, Colin Dredd (Masters), died on 19 May 2015.
Album discography
Newtown Neurotics
Neurotics
Compilations featuring Neurotics' Tracks
Songs
Kick Out the Tories1981
Living With UnemploymentBeggars Can Be Choosers · 1983
Newtown PeopleBeggars Can Be Choosers · 1983