Neo (UK band)

Neo
Origin	London, England
Genres	Glam Punk, Punk rock, New Wave
Years active	1977–1979
Labels	Jet, Aura
Associated acts	Milk 'N' Cookies, Radio, Limmie Funk Limited, Radio Stars, Ultravox, Magazine, Girls At Our Best, The Fallout Club, Cowboys International, ZZebra, Gillan, Classix Nouveaux, Masterwitch, Psychic TV
Past members
Ian North Paul Simon Robert Simon Steve Byrd John McCoy Bryson Graham Steve Wilkin Nick South Mik Sweeney Derek Quinton Dan Black

Neo was an early New Wave band which was part of the Engish musical scene originated by punk in the 1970s. The group was formed by the American-born singer Ian North, who was the frontman and the only continuous member from the band formation in 1977 to the end in 1979.

History

Early days: Radio

In 1976, Ian North (lead vocals, guitar^[1]) travelled with the band Milk 'N' Cookies for which he was the guitarist, to London to record a new album but they never made it and the group took separate ways. Only North stayed in London , meeting Brian Eno and Martin Gordon (bass), who a few years ago founded with ex John's Children's Andy Ellison the glam band Jet. Gordon created a new band called Radio and Eno invited Paul Simon (drums), who formed part of Limmie Funk Limited (with Limmie Snell) to join them and completed the line-up. The band was post-punk,^[2] but only after a gig (supporting Ultravox!) in November 1976, Gordon dropped out and returned with Andy Ellison and changed the name of Jet to Radio Stars. The band recruited George Dyner^[3] for replace him, but for short time, and, in April 1977, North took the place of him on bass and continuing singing, and Paul's brother Robert was introduced, taking the guitar place.^[4]

According to Paul Simon, Radio (nowadays credited as Ian North's Radio) recorded some songs in the studio and he recently remastered them.^[5] In mid 1977, Paul Simon accompanied Martin Gordon, forming part of Radio Stars and recording with them "Good Personality", a 7" single, and other tracks some of which was eventually released on Radio Stars' compilation "Somewhere There's A Place For Us". He was asked to stay with them, but preferred continuing with North in Neo.

Neo

As a three piece band, Radio immediately transformed to Neo.^[6] North became the bassist, and in this way the group continued until February/March 1978, when Robert Simon dropped out and formed part of Ultravox. North sacked Paul Simon,^[7] and included session players in his project: ex-ZZebra members, Steve Byrd on guitar and John McCoy on bass, and Bryson Graham on drums. They recorded an album in Ian Gillan's studio, and after the proper Gillan heard them, hired Byrd and McCoy away from North. Gillan and that ex-Neo musicians formed Gillan. Only Graham stayed with North.

North renewed Neo again with Steve Wilkin (ex-Wired and Masterwitch) on guitar, Nick South on bass and Graham on drums, but shortly afterwards South and Graham were replaced by Mik Sweeney and Derek Quinton, respectively. Later Dan Black completed the line-up as keyboardist. That line-up toured with Magazine, doing gigs promoting their single "Tran-Sister", released that year.

After changes of line-ups, Neo split up in 1979 because North had to return to USA. Sweeney joined The News and, later, Classix Nouveaux, Steve Wilkin joined Random Hold, Quinton joined Sector 27, with Tom Robinson, and Black formed Psychic TV.

Following transform to USA, Ian North have become hair dresser and also make art pictures in the USA.

Discography

• Live At The Vortex (songs "Small Lives" and "Tell Me The Truth") (Nems Records, December 1977)
• Tran-Sister (7" single)(Jet Records, 1978)
• Neo (only as Ian North as artist name) (Aura, 1979)

References

1. ^ Metamatic: Forum"(...)my then band Radio. Band members were Ian North, (...)" Paul Simon, ex-Neo member
2. ^ PUNK77: Neo Post punk
3. ^ Modpoppunk Archives Neo history
4. ^ [punkmodpop.free.fr/neo_pic.htm Modpoppunk Archives: Neo history]
5. ^ Metamatic: Forum"I recently re-mastered some demos by the four piece Radio with the help of Morrissey guitarist Boz Boorer." Paul Simon, ex-Radio and Neo member, February 1st 2007
6. ^ Metamatic: Forum"In early 77 my brother Robin joined and the band eventually changed its name to Neo." Paul Simon, ex-Neo member
7. ^ PUNK77: Neo Rob left to join Ultravox - so I decided to replace his brother as well.

External links

• Ian's page
• Simon brothers' band, Ajanta music, page
• DharmaJester.com Steve Wilkinson's homepage in which commented his days with Neo
• Punk77: Neo About the first encarnation of Neo
• [1]