With their roots embedded in the early punk era, New Model Army were formed in Bradford, Yorkshire, England, in 1980, and immediately outlined their manifesto by naming themselves after the Sir Thomas Fairfax/Oliver Cromwell revolutionary army. The group was led by Justin "Slade The Leveller" Sullivan (b. 1956, Buckinghamshire, England; guitar, vocals), a former platform sweeper and Mars bar production-line worker, with the help of Stuart Morrow (b. 1966, Bradford, England) on bass guitar and Phil Tomkins on drums. Within a few months, Tompkins had been replaced on drums by Rob Waddington, and this line-up remained unchanged until the summer of 1982, when Waddington left the band and was replaced by Robert "Robb" Heaton (b. 1962, Cheshire, England d. Nov. 4th, 2004), a former drum technician and occasional drummer for the band Hawkwind. This line-up remained together until Morrow left the band for personal reasons, during the band's "No Rest" tour, the day after a concert in their home town of Bradford. Which was coincidentally the day of the Bradford disaster, May 11th, 1985 He was replaced on bass in the summer by Jason "Moose" Harris (b. 1968).
Their brand of punk folk/rock attracted a loyal cult following, much of which shared the band's grievances towards the Tory government policies of the 80s. This was best executed on their debut album, which combined militant themes such as "Spirit Of The Falklands" and "Vengeance" (a vitriolic anthem about getting even with one's trespassers) with the haunting lament for childhood, "A Liberal Education". The group's championing of traditional working-class ethics saw an unexpected boost for a dying art and trade - that of the clog.
New Model Army made their first public appearance at Scamps Disco in Bradford in October 1980. After releasing singles on Abstract Records, enjoying a number 2 UK independent chart hit with "The Price" in 1984, they formed an unlikely alliance with the multinational EMI Records, which saw the band acquire a higher profile and a significantly increased recording budget.
They eventually broke through to a wider audience with "No Rest", which peaked at number 28 on the UK singles chart in 1985 - a position they were never to beat in an impressive run of 12 UK chart singles between 1985 and 1991. With often inflammatory lyrics, the band have never compromised their beliefs for commercial gain.
They ran into trouble with BBC Television's Top Of The Pops show for donning T-shirts with the (albeit laudable) slogan, "Only Stupid Bastards Use Heroin". This attracted some derision from "anarcho-punk" traditionalists Conflict, who replied with their own motif: "Only Stupid Bastards Help EMI". They subsequently continued to release high-quality albums, with considerable crossover potential, always maintaining credibility with their original fanbase.
In December 1991 the group left EMI, eventually finding a new home on Epic Records. Their first single for the label revealed few concessions to the mainstream: "Here Comes The War" featured a picture of a charred body, and a pull-out poster instructing the user in how to prepare a nuclear bomb. In 1994, a dance remix of "Vengeance' was released as a protest against the Criminal Justice Bill. After a lengthy absence the band reconvened for 1998's "Strange Brotherhood". New Model Army's short spell with Epic ended as quickly as it started with the band preferring to self publish and go back to their roots. By 2000 their most recent studio album was ready. Named "Eight" it included a now familiar, though no less effective, formula and energy. They continue to release new material and tour as of 2023.
2024
2023
Ear Music, Edel, Attack Attack
7", Ltd
2023
2021
Attack Attack
2xDVD-V, Ltd
2020
Not On Label (New Model Army Self-released)
File, MP3, 128
2020
Not On Label (New Model Army Self-released)
File, MP3, 128
2019
Ear Music
File, MP3, Single
2019
2019
2018
Attack Attack
2xCD + DVD-V
2016
Verycords
CDr, Maxi, Promo, Smplr
2016
2016
2015
Attack Attack
3xCD + DVD + Ltd, S/Edition
2015
Diamante Records (2)
2xFile, MP3, Single, 320
2015
2014
Verycords
CDr, Promo
2014
2014
2013
Secret Records Limited
CD, Comp + DVD-V
2013
Edel, Attack Attack
Flexi, 7", S/Sided
2013
Attack Attack
CD, Promo
2013
2011
2010
2009
Attack Attack
CDr, Promo
2009
Attack Attack
CDr, Promo
2009
2008
Attack Attack
CD, Album
2007
Attack Attack
CD, Single, Num, Promo
2007
Attack Attack
CDr, Single, Promo
2007
2006
Disky
CD, Comp
2006
2005
EMI
CDr, Comp, Promo, Smplr
2005
2004
Alter Ego
CD, Comp
2004
2004
2003
2002
2001
Attack Attack
VHS, PAL
2000
Attack Attack
CD, Promo
2000
EMI
3xCD, Comp
2000
1999
Attack Attack
CD, Single, Promo
1999
1999
1998
EMI Electrola, Attack Attack
CD, Single
1998
1998
1997
1997
1994
1994
1993
Food
7", Single, Jukebox
1993
Not On Label (New Model Army Self-released)
VHS, PAL
1993
1993
1993
1993
1992
Picture Music International
VHS, PAL
1992
1991
1991
1991
1991
1990
1990
1990
1989
Capitol Records, Capitol Records
12", Promo
1989
Capitol Records
Cass, Promo, Smplr
1989
1989
1989
1989
1989
1988
ARMY
12"
1988
1987
Capitol Records
12", Single
1987
1987
1987
1987
1986
1986
1986
1985
1985
1985
1985
1985
1984
1984
1983
1983
EMI
Comp + CD, Album, RE + CD, Album, RE
1989
House Of Dolls
7", EP, Ltd
2024
2022
GRHCPC
190xFile, MP3, Comp, 320
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