The Newtown Neurotics, an underated British punk band with a socialist lyrical bent whose classic first album "Beggars Can be Choosers" in 1983 was stylistically indebted to the Ramones, but with outraged lyrics more akin to political punkers The Clash. The band formed in suburban Newtown Harlow Essex outside London, but eventually dropped the "Newtown" from its name and broadened their approach, including slower tempos and horn arrangements.
Members included lead singer and guitarist Steve Drewett, and bassist Colin Dredd, who came down with pleurisy, and the band in turn called it quits in October 1988 with a farewell show at at the Fulham Greyhound.
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.
The Neurotics: Steve Drewett - Simon Lomond - Colin Dredd
Album Discography:
Newtown Neurotics
Beggars Can Be Choosers (Razor Records) 1983 (now available on iTunes etc via
as the
Neurotics
Repercussions (Jungle Records) 1986
Kickstarting a Backfiring Nation (Jungle) 1987
Is Your Washroom Breeding Bolsheviks (Jungle) 1988
Never Thought EP (Jungle) 1988
45 Revolutions a Minute: Singles 1979-1984 (Jungle) 1990
http://www.neurotics.org.uk