The Newtown Neurotics
Encyclopedia
The Newtown Neurotics (later just The Neurotics) were an English
punk rock
/post-punk
group formed in 1979. They were noted for their openly political music.
and The Ramones. Over the course of the 1980s, the band dropped the "Newtown" from its name and simply became 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
. 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. When the bassist, Colin Dredd, came down with 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. Drewett went on to form an Afro punk band called the Indestructible Beat. Although the Indie Beats were disbanded in 1995, Steve Drewett is known to do occasional solo gigs.
More recently, the Newtown Neurotics reformed for a few reunion shows in London & 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 'Gravy' Walsh (Drums) and Adam 'Smithy' Smith (Bass) (Both from Harlow Newtown
) have been backing Steve Drewett since 2007, including an appearance in the Empress Ballroom in 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.
Neurotics
Compilations featuring Neurotics' Tracks
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
punk rock
Punk 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...
/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...
group formed in 1979. They were noted for their openly political music.
History
As The Newtown Neurotics, the band began their career playing punk heavily indebted stylistically to The ClashThe Clash
The Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance, and rockabilly...
and The Ramones. Over the course of the 1980s, the band dropped the "Newtown" from its name and simply became 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
Jungle Records
Jungle Records is a British-based record label formed in 1982, specializing in classic punk rock, post punk, gothic and alternative releases.They recorded albums by Johnny Thunders such as 'Copy Cats' and 'Que Sera Sera' and are licensors of the classic Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers tape...
. 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
Anarcho-syndicalism
Anarcho-syndicalism is a branch of anarchism which focuses on the labour movement. The word syndicalism comes from the French word syndicat which means trade union , from the Latin word syndicus which in turn comes from the Greek word σύνδικος which means caretaker of an issue...
sticker on his guitar. When the bassist, Colin Dredd, came down with pleurisy
Pleurisy
Pleurisy is an inflammation of the pleura, the lining of the pleural cavity surrounding the lungs. Among other things, infections are the most common cause of 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. Drewett went on to form an Afro punk band called the Indestructible Beat. Although the Indie Beats were disbanded in 1995, Steve Drewett is known to do occasional solo gigs.
More recently, the Newtown Neurotics reformed for a few reunion shows in London & 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 'Gravy' Walsh (Drums) and Adam 'Smithy' Smith (Bass) (Both from Harlow Newtown
Harlow
Harlow is a new town and local government district in Essex, England. It is located in the west of the county and on the border with Hertfordshire, on the Stort Valley, The town is near the M11 motorway and forms part of the London commuter belt.The district has a current population of 78,889...
) have been backing Steve Drewett since 2007, including an appearance in the Empress Ballroom in Blackpool for the 2009 Rebellion Festival.
In 2010 Steve Drewett made his first US appearance, playing at The Big Takeover
The Big Takeover
The Big Takeover is a bi-annual music magazine published out of New York City since 1980 by critic Jack Rabid.-Overview:The Big T usually appears in June and December, with most recent issues coming in around 200 pages. The review section, featuring Jack’s Top 40 for the issue, is regularly 60-80...
magazine's 30th Anniversary festival.
Discography
Newtown Neurotics- Beggars Can Be Choosers (Razor Records) 1983
Neurotics
- Repercussions (Jungle RecordsJungle RecordsJungle Records is a British-based record label formed in 1982, specializing in classic punk rock, post punk, gothic and alternative releases.They recorded albums by Johnny Thunders such as 'Copy Cats' and 'Que Sera Sera' and are licensors of the classic Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers tape...
) 1986 - Kickstarting a Backfiring Nation (Jungle) 1987
- Is Your Washroom Breeding Bolsheviks (Jungle) 1988
- Never Thought EP (Jungle) 1988
- 45 Revolutions per Minute: Singles 1979-1984 (Jungle) 1990
Compilations featuring Neurotics' Tracks
- Wake UP (Womble Records) 1986 - Track 'This Fragile Life (live)'
- Not Just Mandela (Davy Lamp Records) 1986 - Track 'Africa' (with Billy Bragg)
Source
- The Newtown Neurotics at Trouser PressTrouser PressTrouser Press was a rock and roll magazine started in New York in 1974 as a mimeographed fanzine by editor/publisher Ira Robbins, fellow Who fan Dave Schulps and Karen Rose under the name "Trans-Oceanic Trouser Press" ...
.