Tuesday 19 May 2015

The Newtown Neurotics

Steve Lamacq concluded his show on 6Music this evening with the sad news that Colin Dredd (aka Colin Masters), bassist with The Newtown Neurotics from 1978 to 1988, passed away earlier today. There are those who know the band's catalogue, and indeed the people involved, far better than I, though I was lucky enough to see the Neurotics a couple of times in the mid-80's and still own one or two of their records.
 

'Airstrip One' was a personal favourite at the time and is invariably the first tune that comes to mind when I think of the band, and the aptly titled 'This Fragile Life' was added to singer Steve Drewett's moving Facebook tribute to Colin.



12 comments:

C said...

So sad.

My enduring memory of him from those very early days hanging out at Triad was that he was always smiling.

Walter said...

So sad he passed away. I saw them once in Munich doing an unforgetable concert. They were great in these days. Think I should play 'Living with unemployment' again.

Dirk said...

That's sad news indeed: a great band they were!

george said...

It is indeed sad news. I've got a few of their songs up here in the music room. Straightforward no-nonsense angry lyrics. Quality.

Anonymous said...

Very sad news. Fine band.

Scott said...

Just seen this, sad news. Was just playing them last week. After the outcome of the election I started listening again to bands like The Neurotics and The Redskins and wondered where bands like that are today..

Old Pa's Corner said...

Well I have to admit I have never heard of them....my loss as theses tracks are pretty good!

John Medd said...

Strummer was the first to go. The Ramones and Richard Hell followed. It's only a matter of time untl we lose a Pistol and then we really are in trouble.

The Swede said...

Richard Hell's still with us John, unless you've heard something we haven't.

John Medd said...

Oops! Sorry Mr.Hell. I probably meant to say Lux Interior.

Also, I hope I haven't put a hex on Messrs. Lydon, Jones, Matlock & Cook.

Brian said...

As Scott said, not many out there with the courage to use their voice. Perhaps this latest wave of political turmoil in the UK will spawn the next Colin Dredd. Let's hope.

C said...

Re. John's point, I always think that too; gradually we are losing more and more people whose music has been personally meaningful...
The sad loss of Colin is hitting home here particularly resonantly - the Newtown Neurotics were like the house band at our little local club Triad in '78 and '79 where we had a thriving punk scene, it felt like they played there just about every week - we all hung out together and it was brilliant. There was a reunion type gig in 2003 at which Colin was present even though he wasn't very well, it was so heartwarming to see everyone again. And back in the original days there was a handful of local punk bands who played regularly alongside them. Just a few months ago a member of one of these bands died, and a couple of years before that we lost a lovely friend from another of the bands from the scene. You start to wonder who's going to be next (especially as Mr SDS was also in one of the other bands!)

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