The Newtown Neurotics (later just The Neurotics) are an

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Culture, language and peoples * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England * ''English'', an Amish ter ...

punk rock Punk rock (also known as simply punk) is a rock music genre that emerged in the mid-1970s. Rooted in 1950s rock and roll and 1960s garage rock, punk bands rejected the corporate nature of mainstream 1970s rock music. They typically produced sh ...

group formed in

Harlow Harlow is a town and local government district located in the west of Essex, England. Founded as a Planned community, new town in 1947, it is situated on the border with Hertfordshire, and occupies a large area of land on the south bank of the ...

Essex Essex ( ) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in the East of England, and one of the home counties. It is bordered by Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, the North Sea to the east, Kent across the Thames Estuary to the ...

, England, in 1979. They are noted for their openly

political music The connection between music and politics has been seen in many cultures. People in the past and present – especially politicians, politically-engaged musicians and listeners – hold that music can 'express' political ideas and ideologies, su ...

History

As The Newtown Neurotics, the band began their career playing punk heavily indebted stylistically to

The Clash The Clash were an English Rock music, rock band formed in London in 1976. Billed as "The Only Band That Matters", they are considered one of the most influential acts in the original wave of British punk rock, with their music fusing elements ...

and

The Ramones The Ramones were an American punk rock band formed in the New York City neighborhood Forest Hills, Queens in 1974. Known for helping establish the punk movement in the United States and elsewhere, the Ramones are often recognized as one of t ...

. They released a series of

singles Singles are people not in a committed relationship. Singles may also refer to: Film and television * ''Singles'' (miniseries), a 1984 Australian television series * ''Singles'' (1992 film), written and directed by Cameron Crowe * ''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 Jungle Records is a British independent record label established in 1982, specializing in punk rock, post punk, gothic, and alternative releases. From 1982 to 1986, they also operated as a record distributor and were associate members of t ...

including ''Repercussions'' in 1986 and ''Is Your Washroom Breeding Bolsheviks'' in 1988. Lead singer and guitarist Steve Drewett took openly

socialist Socialism is an economic ideology, economic and political philosophy encompassing diverse Economic system, economic and social systems characterised by social ownership of the means of production, as opposed to private ownership. It describes ...

stances in his lyrics throughout the course of the band's career, and currently displays an

anarcho-syndicalist Anarcho-syndicalism is an anarchist organisational model that centres trade unions as a vehicle for class conflict. Drawing from the theory of libertarian socialism and the practice of syndicalism, anarcho-syndicalism sees trade unions as both ...

sticker on his guitar. From 1986, the Neurotics became one of the first

Western Western may refer to: Places *Western, Nebraska, a village in the US *Western, New York, a town in the US *Western Creek, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western Junction, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western world, countries that id ...

bands to play behind the

Iron Curtain The Iron Curtain was the political and physical boundary dividing Europe into two separate areas from the end of World War II in 1945 until the end of the Cold War in 1991. On the east side of the Iron Curtain were countries connected to the So ...

, with successive tours of

East Germany East Germany, officially known as the German Democratic Republic (GDR), was a country in Central Europe from Foundation of East Germany, its formation on 7 October 1949 until German reunification, its reunification with West Germany (FRG) on ...

alongside artists like

Billy Bragg Stephen William Bragg (born 20 December 1957) is an English singer, songwriter, musician, author and political activist. His music blends elements of folk music, punk rock and protest songs, with lyrics that mostly span political or romantic th ...

and

Attila the Stockbroker John Baine (born 21 October 1957), better known by his stage name Attila the Stockbroker,Strong, Martin C. (2003) ''The Great Indie Discography'', Canongate, , p. 208 is an English punk poet, multi instrumentalist musician and songwriter. He ...

. When bassist Colin Dredd contracted

pleurisy Pleurisy, also known as pleuritis, is inflammation of the membranes that surround the lungs and line the chest cavity (Pulmonary pleurae, pleurae). This can result in a sharp chest pain while breathing. Occasionally the pain may be a constant d ...

, 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 North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the northern half of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and borders China and Russia to the north at the Yalu River, Yalu (Amnok) an ...

and

Cuba Cuba, officially the Republic of Cuba, is an island country, comprising the island of Cuba (largest island), Isla de la Juventud, and List of islands of Cuba, 4,195 islands, islets and cays surrounding the main island. It is located where the ...

. 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. A new rhythm section of David Walsh (Drums) and Adam Smith (Bass) (Both from Harlow Newtown) backed Steve Drewett from 2007, including for the 2009 Rebellion Festival. In 2010 Steve Drewett made his first US appearance, playing at

The Big Takeover ''The Big Takeover'' is a bi-annual music magazine published in New York City since May 1980 by critic Jack Rabid. History Establishment Jack Rabid and Dave Stein began publishing ''The Big Takeover'' in May 1980 as a fanzine dedicated to New ...

magazine's 30th Anniversary festival. In 2015, Simon Lomond rejoined the band for live dates including a return to the Rebellion Festival. Original bassist, Colin Dredd (Masters), died on 19 May 2015. In 2018, funds for a full-length documentary on the band's history were successfully raised through

Kickstarter Kickstarter, PBC is an American Benefit corporation, public benefit corporation based in Brooklyn, New York City, that maintains a global crowdfunding platform focused on creativity. The company's stated mission is to "help bring creative project ...

. ''Kick Out!: The Newtown Neurotics Story'' is directed by Luke J. Baker. Initially set for completion in 2021, it finally premiered at London's

100 Club The 100 Club is a music venue located at 100 Oxford Street, London, England, where it has been hosting live music since 24 October 1942. It was originally called the Feldman Swing Club, but changed its name when the father of the current owner ...

on 5 September 2023.

In 2022 the band released ''Cognitive Dissidents'', their first album in 35 years. The single ''Climate Emergency'' preceded the album.

Album discography

Newtown Neurotics

*''Beggars Can Be Choosers'' (Razor Records) 1983 *''45 Revolutions per Minute: Singles 1979–1984'' (Jungle) 1994 *''Punk Singles Collection'' (

Cherry Red Records Cherry Red Records is a British independent record label founded in Malvern, Worcestershire by Iain McNay in 1978. The label has released recordings by Dead Kennedys, Everything but the Girl, The Monochrome Set, and Felt, among others, as w ...

) 2000 *''Punk Collection'' (Captain Oi!) 2001 *''Triumph Over Adversity (Live in 1987)'' (Cruel Binary) 2015 *''The Elephant Demos (1980)'' (No Plan Records) 2018 *''Cognitive Dissidents '' (Cadiz) 2022

Neurotics

*''Repercussions'' (

) 1986 *''Kickstarting a Backfiring Nation'' (Jungle) 1987 *''Is Your Washroom Breeding Bolsheviks'' (Jungle) 1988 *''Never Thought'' EP (Jungle) 1988 *''His Masters Voice – The Very Best Of'' 1992

Compilations featuring Neurotics' tracks

*''Punk & Disorderly III – The Final Solution'' (Anagram Records) 1983 – Track "Kick Out The Tories" *''They Shall Not Pass'' (CNT Records) 1985 – Tracks "Mindless Violence" & "Kick Out The Tories" *''Wake UP'' (Womble Records) 1986 – Track "This Fragile Life" (live) *''Not Just Mandela'' (Davy Lamp Records) 1986 – Track "Africa" (with

) *''The Shit Factory'' (Warner) 1998 – Track "Living With Unemployment"

Uses in popular culture

*Stand-up comedian Tom Mayhew's

BBC Radio 4 BBC Radio 4 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. The station replaced the BBC Home Service on 30 September 1967 and broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes from the BBC's headquarters at Broadcasti ...

series - ''Tom Mayhew is Benefit Scum'' - used "Living With Unemployment" as its intro music.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Newtown Neurotics, The English punk rock groups Musical groups established in 1979 Musical groups disestablished in 1988 British political music groups