New Model Army (band)
Encyclopedia
New Model Army are an English
rock
band
, who were formed in Bradford
, West Yorkshire
in 1980. They have been variously classified by Allmusic as post-punk
and alternative rock
.
", albeit more melodic
than the works of many of their classic counterparts.
Their lyrics are often poetic
, but express political and humanitarian messages. Songs like "51st State
" (lyrics written by Ashley Cartwright of 'The Shakes') earned the band cult status in movements against American imperialism
, but made it more difficult for the band to tour the US
. The contradiction and search for truths explored in New Model Army's lyrics stem from lyricist Justin Sullivan
's Quaker and literary upbringing.
As a band New Model Army (NMA) had a close relationship with British
artist
, novelist, and poet
Joolz Denby
, who is often credited as a consultant or muse and sometimes even co-writer. Sullivan and Denby are long-term partners, and Denby was also the first manager of the band. She is also responsible for the characteristic artwork
on their cover
s, merchandise, t-shirts etc. The Arts Council/Yorkshire Museums & Galleries international touring exhibition of Denby's artworks for NMA and their memorabilia entitled 'One Family, One Tribe - The Art & Artefacts Of New Model Army', is unique in its presentation of the art of a working rock band. NMA and Denby often appeared on the same bill when performing live.
revolutionary army
of Oliver Cromwell
. Led by guitarist
/ vocalist
, Justin Sullivan (who performed briefly under the name 'Slade the Leveller' in the early 1980s), the group has a loyal, global, multi-generational cult following called The Family. The band has also collaborated with electric violin
ist Ed Alleyne-Johnson, who worked with them on their Top 40 single "Vagabonds", and their albums Thunder & Consolation
(1989) and Impurity (1990), as well as touring extensively with them for five years. New Model Army frequently toured with more than five band members.
In November 1985, the British
music magazine, NME
reported that the New Model Army had been refused work permits to the United States
. This was because the US Immigration Department had said the band's work is of 'no artistic merit'. Nigel Morton, NMA's manager commented "If it's all down to the band's politics, it's a bit strange because Billy Bragg
and Poison Girls
, whose politics are exactly the same as New Model Army's, have all been allowed entry into the States recently. We've already appealed against the decision". In the magazine's December 1986 edition they stated that New Model Army had finally got permission to tour in the US. In January 1993, just six months after Sullivan was nearly accidentally electrocuted
on stage, the band issued the single "Here Comes the War". The resultant controversy stemmed from its enclosed instructions of how to construct a nuclear device
.
The ex-New Model Army member, Ricky Warwick
went on to form The Almighty
in 1988. Former members Chris McLaughlin and Stuart Morrow played in the band Loud
between 1989 and 1993.
The group also tours as 'Justin Sullivan and Friends', which means a more acoustic set without some players (which ones varies), and is linked to Red Sky Coven, in which Sullivan also plays. In early 2003, Sullivan released Navigating by the Stars, a solo album recorded with other band members and featuring Michael Dean on drums
, Dean White on guitar
and keyboards
, Danny Thompson
on double bass
, and Mark Feltham
on harmonica
.
In 2004 their one-time drummer and founding member, Robert Heaton
, died of pancreatic cancer
.
After a short tour at the end of 2004, the group returned to the studio
to record their ninth studio album, Carnival
(2005). EMI
has released four remaster
ed earlier albums.
The next studio album, High
, was released in the UK on 20 August 2007, and in North America on 4 September 2007. On 5 September 2007, their North American tour in support of High was cancelled when they were denied visas by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
.
The latest studio album, Today Is a Good Day
, was released in September 2009.
On the 3 and 4 December 2010, the band played two dates at the London Forum
, celebrating their 30th anniversary, following dates throughout mainland Europe in November.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
, who were formed in Bradford
Bradford
Bradford lies at the heart of the City of Bradford, a metropolitan borough of West Yorkshire, in Northern England. It is situated in the foothills of the Pennines, west of Leeds, and northwest of Wakefield. Bradford became a municipal borough in 1847, and received its charter as a city in 1897...
, West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire is a metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of 2.2 million. West Yorkshire came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972....
in 1980. They have been variously classified by Allmusic as post-punk
Post-punk
Post-punk is a rock music movement with its roots in the late 1970s, following on the heels of the initial punk rock explosion of the mid-1970s. The genre retains its roots in the punk movement but is more introverted, complex and experimental...
and alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
.
Overview
New Model Army's earliest material on their debut album Vengeance (1984) was described as "crusty-punkPunk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
", albeit more melodic
Melody
A melody , also tune, voice, or line, is a linear succession of musical tones which is perceived as a single entity...
than the works of many of their classic counterparts.
Their lyrics are often poetic
Poetic
Poetic may refer to:* Poetry, or a relation thereof.* Too Poetic, a deceased rapper and hip hop producer....
, but express political and humanitarian messages. Songs like "51st State
51st State (song)
"51st State" is a song performed by New Model Army, which appeared on their 1986 album The Ghost Of Cain. It protests against what it claimed was the obedience of the United Kingdom under Margaret Thatcher to United States interests...
" (lyrics written by Ashley Cartwright of 'The Shakes') earned the band cult status in movements against American imperialism
American Empire
American imperialism is a term referring to the economic, military and cultural influence of the United States on other countries. The concept of an American Empire was first popularized during the presidency of James K...
, but made it more difficult for the band to tour the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The contradiction and search for truths explored in New Model Army's lyrics stem from lyricist Justin Sullivan
Justin Sullivan
Justin Sullivan is an English singer and songwriter. He is also the frontman and lyricist of the British rock band New Model Army, which he formed in 1980 together with drummer Robert Heaton and bassist Stuart Morrow in their hometown of Bradford, Yorkshire...
's Quaker and literary upbringing.
As a band New Model Army (NMA) had a close relationship with British
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
artist
Artist
An artist is a person engaged in one or more of any of a broad spectrum of activities related to creating art, practicing the arts and/or demonstrating an art. The common usage in both everyday speech and academic discourse is a practitioner in the visual arts only...
, novelist, and poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
Joolz Denby
Joolz Denby
Joolz Denby is a poet, novelist and artist based in Bradford, UK.-Biography:...
, who is often credited as a consultant or muse and sometimes even co-writer. Sullivan and Denby are long-term partners, and Denby was also the first manager of the band. She is also responsible for the characteristic artwork
Cover art
Cover art is the illustration or photograph on the outside of a published product such as a book , magazine, comic book, video game , DVD, CD, videotape, or music album. The art has a primarily commercial function, i.e...
on their cover
Album cover
An album cover is the front of the packaging of a commercially released audio recording product, or album. The term can refer to either the printed cardboard covers typically used to package sets of 10" and 12" 78 rpm records, single and sets of 12" LPs, sets of 45 rpm records , or the front-facing...
s, merchandise, t-shirts etc. The Arts Council/Yorkshire Museums & Galleries international touring exhibition of Denby's artworks for NMA and their memorabilia entitled 'One Family, One Tribe - The Art & Artefacts Of New Model Army', is unique in its presentation of the art of a working rock band. NMA and Denby often appeared on the same bill when performing live.
Career
The band was named after the EnglishEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
revolutionary army
New Model Army
The New Model Army of England was formed in 1645 by the Parliamentarians in the English Civil War, and was disbanded in 1660 after the Restoration...
of Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who overthrew the English monarchy and temporarily turned England into a republican Commonwealth, and served as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland....
. Led by guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
/ vocalist
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, Justin Sullivan (who performed briefly under the name 'Slade the Leveller' in the early 1980s), the group has a loyal, global, multi-generational cult following called The Family. The band has also collaborated with electric violin
Electric violin
An electric violin is a violin equipped with an electronic output of its sound. The term most properly refers to an instrument purposely made to be electrified with built-in pickups, usually with a solid body...
ist Ed Alleyne-Johnson, who worked with them on their Top 40 single "Vagabonds", and their albums Thunder & Consolation
Thunder & Consolation
Thunder and Consolation was released in 1989 and is the fourth studio album of British rock band New Model Army. The album stands as a landmark in the New Model Army-catalogue, being their most successful album to date and reaching #20 in the UK albums chart...
(1989) and Impurity (1990), as well as touring extensively with them for five years. New Model Army frequently toured with more than five band members.
In November 1985, the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
music magazine, NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
reported that the New Model Army had been refused work permits to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. This was because the US Immigration Department had said the band's work is of 'no artistic merit'. Nigel Morton, NMA's manager commented "If it's all down to the band's politics, it's a bit strange because Billy Bragg
Billy Bragg
Stephen William Bragg , better known as Billy Bragg, is an English alternative rock musician and left-wing activist. His music blends elements of folk music, punk rock and protest songs, and his lyrics mostly deal with political or romantic themes...
and Poison Girls
Poison Girls
The Poison Girls were an English anarcho-punk band. The female singer/guitarist, Vi Subversa, was a middle-aged mother of two at the band's inception, and wrote songs that explored sexuality and gender roles, usually from an anarchist perspective...
, whose politics are exactly the same as New Model Army's, have all been allowed entry into the States recently. We've already appealed against the decision". In the magazine's December 1986 edition they stated that New Model Army had finally got permission to tour in the US. In January 1993, just six months after Sullivan was nearly accidentally electrocuted
Electrocution
Electrocution is a type of electric shock that, as determined by a stopped heart, can end life. Electrocution is frequently used to refer to any electric shock received but is technically incorrect; the choice of definition varies from dictionary to dictionary...
on stage, the band issued the single "Here Comes the War". The resultant controversy stemmed from its enclosed instructions of how to construct a nuclear device
Nuclear weapon
A nuclear weapon is an explosive device that derives its destructive force from nuclear reactions, either fission or a combination of fission and fusion. Both reactions release vast quantities of energy from relatively small amounts of matter. The first fission bomb test released the same amount...
.
The ex-New Model Army member, Ricky Warwick
Ricky Warwick
Ricky Warwick is possibly best known as the frontman for the Scottish band The Almighty. Starting out as a rhythm guitarist in New Model Army, Ricky formed The Almighty in 1988. Warwick was the lead vocalist and played guitar in various formats of the band. In 1996 he left The Almighty...
went on to form The Almighty
The Almighty (band)
The Almighty are a hard rock/heavy metal band, from Glasgow in Scotland who formed in 1988. They have released seven studio albums, two anthologies and one live album.-1988-1993:...
in 1988. Former members Chris McLaughlin and Stuart Morrow played in the band Loud
Loud (band)
Loud were a hard rock band with alternative rock, gothic rock and heavy metal influences, formed in Leeds, England in 1989.The band was founded by guitarist Chris McLaughlin, following his stint in New Model Army...
between 1989 and 1993.
The group also tours as 'Justin Sullivan and Friends', which means a more acoustic set without some players (which ones varies), and is linked to Red Sky Coven, in which Sullivan also plays. In early 2003, Sullivan released Navigating by the Stars, a solo album recorded with other band members and featuring Michael Dean on drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, Dean White on guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
and keyboards
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, Danny Thompson
Danny Thompson
Daniel Henry Edward 'Danny' Thompson is an English multi-instrumentalist best known as a double bassist and businessman...
on double bass
Double bass
The double bass, also called the string bass, upright bass, standup bass or contrabass, is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra, with strings usually tuned to E1, A1, D2 and G2...
, and Mark Feltham
Mark Feltham (musician)
Mark Feltham is an English musician best known for his harmonica playing. Feltham is a long term member of the British rhythm and blues band, Nine Below Zero, and Rory Gallagher's band; and is often utilised as a session musician.-Albums:*Nine Below Zero: Live at the Marquee ; Don't Point Your...
on harmonica
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
.
In 2004 their one-time drummer and founding member, Robert Heaton
Robert Heaton
Robert Charles Heaton was the drummer in the English rock band New Model Army. With Justin Sullivan, Heaton was the core of the Bradford based band, originally alongside Stuart Morrow on bass and then later with Jason 'Moose' Harris. He wrote many of NMA's best known compositions, which are still...
, died of pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer refers to a malignant neoplasm of the pancreas. The most common type of pancreatic cancer, accounting for 95% of these tumors is adenocarcinoma, which arises within the exocrine component of the pancreas. A minority arises from the islet cells and is classified as a...
.
After a short tour at the end of 2004, the group returned to the studio
Recording studio
A recording studio is a facility for sound recording and mixing. Ideally both the recording and monitoring spaces are specially designed by an acoustician to achieve optimum acoustic properties...
to record their ninth studio album, Carnival
Carnival (New Model Army album)
Carnival was released in 2005 and is the ninth studio album by British rock band, New Model Army. The album was co-produced by Chris Tsangarides and New Model Army.-Singles and EPs:...
(2005). EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
has released four remaster
Remaster
Remaster is a word marketed mostly in the digital audio age, although the remastering process has existed since recording began...
ed earlier albums.
The next studio album, High
High (New Model Army album)
High is the tenth studio album of British rock band New Model Army, released on 20 August 2007 in the UK, 24 August in Germany, and 4 September in North America.-Track listing:...
, was released in the UK on 20 August 2007, and in North America on 4 September 2007. On 5 September 2007, their North American tour in support of High was cancelled when they were denied visas by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services is a component of the United States Department of Homeland Security . It performs many administrative functions formerly carried out by the legacy United States Immigration and Naturalization Service , which was part of the Department of Justice...
.
The latest studio album, Today Is a Good Day
Today Is a Good Day
Today Is A Good Day is the eleventh studio album of British rock band New Model Army, released on 14 September 2009 in the UK and 15 September 2009 in the US.-Track listing:...
, was released in September 2009.
On the 3 and 4 December 2010, the band played two dates at the London Forum
London Forum
The London Forum, or sometimes Kentish Town Forum is a well-known venue for concerts in Kentish Town, London, United Kingdom owned by the MAMA Group. The venue was built in 1934 and was originally used as an art deco cinema. After the closure of the cinema, The Town & Country Club was established...
, celebrating their 30th anniversary, following dates throughout mainland Europe in November.
Main contributors
- Justin SullivanJustin SullivanJustin Sullivan is an English singer and songwriter. He is also the frontman and lyricist of the British rock band New Model Army, which he formed in 1980 together with drummer Robert Heaton and bassist Stuart Morrow in their hometown of Bradford, Yorkshire...
- vocalistSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
- born 8 April 1956, Jordans, BuckinghamshireBuckinghamshireBuckinghamshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan home county in South East England. The county town is Aylesbury, the largest town in the ceremonial county is Milton Keynes and largest town in the non-metropolitan county is High Wycombe....
, EnglandEnglandEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental... - Robert HeatonRobert HeatonRobert Charles Heaton was the drummer in the English rock band New Model Army. With Justin Sullivan, Heaton was the core of the Bradford based band, originally alongside Stuart Morrow on bass and then later with Jason 'Moose' Harris. He wrote many of NMA's best known compositions, which are still...
- DrummerDrummerA drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
- born Robert Charles Heaton, 6 July 1961, KnutsfordKnutsfordKnutsford is a town and civil parish in the unitary authority area of Cheshire East and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, in North West England...
, CheshireCheshireCheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
; died of pancreatic cancerPancreatic cancerPancreatic cancer refers to a malignant neoplasm of the pancreas. The most common type of pancreatic cancer, accounting for 95% of these tumors is adenocarcinoma, which arises within the exocrine component of the pancreas. A minority arises from the islet cells and is classified as a...
, 4 November 2004.
Studio albums
- Vengeance (1984)
- No Rest for the WickedNo Rest for the Wicked (New Model Army album)No Rest For The Wicked is the second album release of British rock band New Model Army. According to the sleeve it is in fact a compilation, but it is generally regarded as a studio album and is therefore counted as the band's second studio album, Vengeance being their first. It also marks the...
(1985) - The Ghost of CainThe Ghost of CainThe Ghost of Cain is the third studio album of British rock band New Model Army. Released in 1986, The Ghost of Cain propelled the band to the forefront of the alternative rock scene in the 1980s...
(1986) - Thunder and Consolation (1989)
- Impurity (1990)
- The Love of Hopeless CausesThe Love of Hopeless CausesThe Love of Hopeless Causes was released in 1993 and is the sixth studio album by British rock band, New Model Army. It was produced by Niko Bolas, except "Afternoon Song", which was produced by Riku Mattila...
(1993) - Strange BrotherhoodStrange BrotherhoodStrange Brotherhood was released in 1998 and is the seventh studio album by British rock band, New Model Army and the first on their own independent label, Attack Attack Records....
(1998) - Eight (2000)
- CarnivalCarnival (New Model Army album)Carnival was released in 2005 and is the ninth studio album by British rock band, New Model Army. The album was co-produced by Chris Tsangarides and New Model Army.-Singles and EPs:...
(2005) - HighHigh (New Model Army album)High is the tenth studio album of British rock band New Model Army, released on 20 August 2007 in the UK, 24 August in Germany, and 4 September in North America.-Track listing:...
(2007) - Today Is a Good DayToday Is a Good DayToday Is A Good Day is the eleventh studio album of British rock band New Model Army, released on 14 September 2009 in the UK and 15 September 2009 in the US.-Track listing:...
(2009)
External links
- Official website
- New Model Army at MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
- Discography
- Interview with Justin on German/Austrian/Swiss culture channel 3sat, Burg Herzberg Festival, 17th July 2010
- Video Interview Justin Sullivan: "What is really important to you?"
- New Model Army interview at RockRemedy.com: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
- Acoustic performances at RockRemedy.com: "Green and Grey" | "Into the Wind"