New Model Army (band)

For the English Civil War Parliamentary Army, see New Model Army.

New Model Army
New Model Army in Cologne on 22 December 2007
Background information
Origin	Bradford, England
Genres	Post-punk, alternative rock[1]
Years active	1980–present
Labels	Abstract, EMI, Epic, Eagle, Attack Attack
Website	www.newmodelarmy.org/
Members
Justin Sullivan Nelson Michael Dean Dean White Marshall Gill
Past members
Tom Tom Tomkins Rob Waddington Stuart Morrow Ed Alleyne-Johnson Robert Heaton (deceased) Moose Harris Ricky Warwick Chris McLaughlin Adrian Portas Dave Blomberg Ed Wolsenholme Mark Feltham

New Model Army are an English rock band, who were formed in Bradford, West Yorkshire in 1980.^[2] They have been variously classified by Allmusic as post-punk and alternative rock.^[1]

Overview

New Model Army's earliest material on their debut album Vengeance (1984) was described as "crusty-punk",^[2] albeit more melodic than the works of many of their classic counterparts.

Their lyrics are often poetic, but express political and humanitarian messages.^[2] Songs like "51st State" (lyrics written by Ashley Cartwright of 'The Shakes')^[3] earned the band cult status in movements against American imperialism, but made it more difficult for the band to tour the US.^[1] 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,^[4][5] and Denby was also the first manager of the band.^[6] She is also responsible for the characteristic artwork on their covers, 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.^{[citation needed]} NMA and Denby often appeared on the same bill when performing live.

Career

The band was named after the English revolutionary army of Oliver Cromwell.^[2] 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 violinist 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".^[7] In the magazine's December 1986 edition they stated that New Model Army had finally got permission to tour in the US.^[8] 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.^[2]

The ex-New Model Army member, Ricky Warwick went on to form The Almighty in 1988.^[1] 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.^[1] 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.^[9]

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 remastered earlier albums.^[1]

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.^[10]

The latest studio album, Today Is a Good Day, was released in September 2009.^[11]

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.

Main contributors

• Justin Sullivan - vocalist - born 8 April 1956, Jordans, Buckinghamshire, England
• Robert Heaton - Drummer - born Robert Charles Heaton, 6 July 1961, Knutsford, Cheshire; died of pancreatic cancer, 4 November 2004.

Discography

Main article: New Model Army discography

Studio albums

• Vengeance (1984)
• No Rest for the Wicked (1985)
• The Ghost of Cain (1986)
• Thunder and Consolation (1989)
• Impurity (1990)
• The Love of Hopeless Causes (1993)
• Strange Brotherhood (1998)
• Eight (2000)
• Carnival (2005)
• High (2007)
• Today Is a Good Day (2009)^[2]

Live Albums

• Raw Melody Men (1991)^[2]
• Fuck Texas, Sing For Us (2008)

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f} "Biography by Steve Huey". Allmusic.com. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p5016/biography. Retrieved 13 July 2010. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} Strong, Martin C. (2000). The Great Rock Discography (5th ed.). Edinburgh: Mojo Books. pp. 690–691. ISBN 1-84195-017-3. 
3. ^ "Shaking it up with 80's revival". Telegraph & Argus. Newsquest Media Group. 22 August 2003. http://archive.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/2003/8/22/108870.html. Retrieved 3 April 2008. 
4. ^ Emusic.com
5. ^ 17seconds.blogspot.com
6. ^ Twbooks.co.uk
7. ^ Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 412. CN 5585. 
8. ^ Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 425. CN 5585. 
9. ^ Independent Obituary
10. ^ Visas Denied - Tour Cancelled, New Model Army Board, 5 September 2007 (accessed 21 September 2007).
11. ^ New Model Army official site.

External links

• Official website
• New Model Army at MySpace
• 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"