New Model Army are an English rock band formed in Bradford, West Yorkshire, in 1980 by lead singer, guitarist and main composer Justin Sullivan, bassist Stuart Morrow and drummer Phil Tompkins. Sullivan has been the only continuous member of the band, which has seen numerous line-up changes in its four-decade history. Their music draws on influences across the musical spectrum, from punk and folk to soul, heavy metal and classical. Sullivan's lyrics, which range from directly political through to spiritual and personal, have always been considered as a key part of the band's appeal. By the time they began making their first records in 1983, Robert Heaton, a former drum technician for Hawkwind, had replaced Tompkins.
Whilst having their roots in punk rock, the band have always been difficult to categorise. In 1999, when asked about this, Sullivan said "We've been labelled as punks, post-punks, Goth, metal, folk – the lot, but we've always been beyond those style confines". Following a large turnover of personnel, both permanent and as touring members, as of 2021 New Model Army comprise Sullivan, Dean White (keyboards and guitar), Michael Dean (drums), Marshall Gill (guitar) and Ceri Monger (bass).
Links to Peel[]
Peel first played the band's music in 1983 and so impressed by them that he invited them to do a session for his show at the end of the year, where they performed four songs. Later material by the group were played by the DJ, including their track, Christian Militia, added to the U.K. Buzz series. However, by the end of 1985, Peel had lost interest in them until 1993, when the group collaborated with Tom Jones for the track, Gimme Shelter, which raised money for fighting against homelessness. After 1993, Peel didn't play any tracks from the group.
Festive Fifty Entries[]
- 1984 Festive Fifty: Vengeance #43
Sessions[]
New Model Army - Peel Session 1983
Session is available on Radio Sessions '83- '84 (CD, 1988, Abstract) and Small Town England (2xCD, 1997, Recall 2cd)
1. Recorded: 1983-12-14. First Broadcast: 04 January 1984. Repeated: 19 January 1984
- Christian Militia / Small Town England / Running / Falklands Spirit
Other Shows Played[]
- 1983
- 17 May 1983: Bittersweet (7") Quiet
- 01 June 1983: Bittersweet (7") Quiet
- 05 June 1983 (BFBS): Bittersweet (7") Quiet
- 15 June 1983: Bittersweet (7" EP) Quiet
- 04 July 1983 (BBC World Service): Bittersweet (7") Quiet
- 05 July 1983: Bittersweet (7") Quiet QS002
- 06 July 1983 (BFBS): Bitterweet (7") Quiet
- 12 November 1983 (BFBS): Great Expectations (7") Abstract
- 24 November 1983: Great Expectation (7") Abstract
- 07 December 1983: Great Expectations (7") Abstract
- 13 December 1983: Great Expectations (7") Abstract
- 02 January 1984: Great Expectations (7") Abstract
- 07 January 1984 (BFBS): Great Expectations (7") Abstract
- 09 May 1984 (BFBS): Sex (The Black Angel) (album - Vengeance) Abstract ABT 008
- 14 May 1984 (BBC World Service): Smalltown England (album - Vengeance) Abstract
- 16 May 1984 (BFBS): Notice Me (album - Vengeance) Abstract ABT 00
- 30 September 1984 (BFBS): A Liberal Education (album - Vengeance) Abstract ABT 008
- 18 December 1984: 'Vengeance (LP-Vengeance)' (Abstract Sounds) FF #43
- 1985
- 08 April 1985: No Rest (12") EMI
- 15 April 1985: No Rest (12" - No Rest / Heroin) EMI
- 21 April 1985 (BFBS): No Rest (7") EMI NMA 1
- 20 May 1985: No Greater Love (LP - No Rest For The Wicked) EMI
- 22 May 1985: 'Young, Gifted And Skint (LP-No Rest For The Wicked)' (EMI)
- 27 May 1985 (BBC World Service): No Greater Love (LP - No Rest For The Wicked) EMI
- 02 June 1985 (BFBS): Young, Gifted And Skint (album - No Rest For The Wicked) EMI
- 03 June 1985 (BBC World Service): Young, Gifted And Skint (album - No Rest For The Wicked) EMI
- Peel 015 (BFBS) / 16 June 1985 (BFBS): 'Frightened (LP-No Rest For The Wicked)' (EMI)
- 29 July 1985 (BBC World Service): Better Than Them (12" - Better Than Them (The Acoustic E.P.)) EMI
- Peel 015 (BFBS) / 29 July 1985 (BFBS): 'Better Than Them (2x7"-The Acoustic EP)' (EMI)
- Peel 015 (BFBS) / 12 August 1985 (BFBS): 'Adrenalin (2x7"-The Acoustic EP)' (EMI)
- Peel 016 (BFBS): 'Young, Gifted And Skint (LP-No Rest For The Wicked)' (EMI)
- 1993
- 26 March 1993 (& Tom Jones): Gimme Shelter (v/a album - Gimme Shelter) Food