Steve Drewett The Hare Harlow 27th August 2023

 

This gig popped up on a social media feed couple of weeks ago and I promised myself that I would go along. Pre-gig, there was something of a discussion on the merits of lunchtime gigs... and the fact that on a Sunday lunch time it was possible to get a fix of punk rock and still be back home in time for the Antiques Roadshow... old punks never die, but they do slow up a bit!

This set of Songs and Stories was ideally placed in the schedule since on 5th September the film 'Kick Out', The Story Of The Newtown Neurotics finally gets its premiere. The original timelines for the film, like so much else was royally scuppered by COVID-19 such that the launch that was to take place at The Red Lion Ballroom, Leytonstone, if I remember correctly, was cancelled. Flick through the calendar some 3 years and the band have managed to get a much more prestigious venue for the occasion, the 100 Club no less.

As Steve explained in his introduction, making a documentary (or should that be rockumentary!) is no small feat. A band with a career as long as that of the Newtown Neurotics will have interacted with thousands of people from different periods of the band's existence, all with a story to tell. So the art in putting something like this together lies in the sorting process, what to keep in and what to leave on the cutting room floor. Another challenge brings in our 'friend' COVID again. Since the aborted launch, the band released another album of new material, their first for 34 years! So, to release the film in the form that it was back in 2020 would do the band a disservice. As an aside, The Stranglers will have the same problem if and when the lawyers finally get to a settlement that will allow it to see the light of day... only changes there are somewhat bigger than the release of a new album. Anyway, back to The Hare. This lunchtime gig gave Steve the opportunity to relate stuff that didn't make it into the film as well as adventures beyond the Newtown Neurotics.

Steve related the band's modest beginnings, starting with gig at Standon Village Hall, somewhat less iconic than the 100 Club. He went on to detail origins to 'Kick Out The Tories' were revealed to have started life as a dreadful Christmas kind of jingle thrown together for a Christmas Eve gig at the Triad Centre in Bishops Stortford (which was located just a 5 minute walk from my front door)... dreadful it may have been, but it was punk rock! Surprisingly it was also divulged that the song, the band's anthem if they can be considered to have one, was intended to be a one off song penned for the purposes of a TUC gig. Whilst it is regrettable that the song has had a direct relevance for the biggest chunk of the band's career, I am glad that the song wasn't cast aside after that one gig!

Flyer courtesy of Steve Drewett.

'Hyporcrite'

(and apologies for the camera orientation)

One of the highlights of the Neurotics' pre-1988 (the year the band split... before they reformed!) was undoubtedly a tour of East Germany with Attila The Stockbroker and Billy Bragg, a kind of socialist revue package for the DDR! It was here that the band played to their biggest audience (estimated to be in the order of 8,000 with a further few thousand outside having been unable to get in) at Berlin's Palace of the Republic, a venue more prestigious than Standon Village Hall and the 100 Club!

Palace of the Republic

Berlin

After stories of touring behind the wall, things became rather more personal as Steve recounted his inspiration for writing 'This Fragile Life', one of the band's finest songs. There was an old lady who resided in the Potter Street area of Harlow, a woman down on her luck and struggling to subsist. She would regularly take a bus to a job that involved collecting potatoes (surely quite a laborious task for one not so young). After some time, the lady was found dead and alone in her house having succumbed to hyperthermia (as has been the fate of many elderly people here in the UK during this current cost of living crisis that we are enduring). The memory was clearly still raw, even after the passage of forty years or more as the writer became rather choked. That such a situation can and does exist in the UK, the 5th biggest economy in the world let us not forget, is a disgrace.

As I recall, the first set would up with 'Living With Unemployment', a reworking of The Members' 'Solitary Confinement' for 1980's jobseekers everywhere. It was interesting to learn the late Nicky Tesco's take on Steve's efforts... 'Why don't they write their own fucking material!' JC Carroll on the other hand loved it.

'Living With Unemployment'

Also in the first set was the rarely played 'If Only', a track that appeared on the reflective 'Is Your Washroom Breeding Bolsheviks?' album. I almost saw this many moon's ago in my first week at Brunel University when Steve played a solo gig at Uxbridge Labour Club in 1988. However, being a group of students completely lacking a sense of direction or an ounce of common sense for that matter we failed to find the venue and spent a fruitless evening traipsing the damp autumnal streets of Uxbridge... 'Does anyone know where the gig is?' we should have asked!

Punk poet Cherry B returned to the stage at the end of the interval for another couple of poems before Steve continued his musical journey. 

Cherry B

(didn't get the title but it's a poem about Nigel Farage)

Unfortunately, we had to leave shortly into the second set so we missed tales of North Korea and Brazil. There was only time for one more song, 'Thinking About You' from the short lived 'The Indestructible Beat, the band that Steve formed after the Neurotics. I did get to see them once though at a Cable Street Beat benefit in Camden.

So, all in all a great way to spend an Sunday afternoon and an excellent taster for the 'Kick Out' film premier next week.

Attila The Stockbroker The Square Harlow 11th September 2015

Great night out at The Square in Harlow last week to see Attila's book launch and a glittering heaven of stars on stage including Brighton's own Piranhas.

I first saw Attila 30 years ago at The Zap Club in Brighton. I new little of what he did as I went along to see The Newtown Neurotics (or The Neurotics as they were known at that point in time) only they didn't play on account of Steve Drewett having his wisdom teeth extracted that week. Attila played the gig on his own and this was really something new. During the set I recall he played the great 'Green Fields of France', a real tear jerker of a song about the death of a Scottish soldier in the trenches of the Western Front. Subsequently I wrote to him and he very kindly sent me a cassette containing said song and invited me to bootleg away.

The next time he played was at The Basement in Brighton in January 1986 and I took him up on his offer, this gig being one of only two gigs that I have ever bootlegged (on an early '80's dictaphone - no mini discs then!). I'll dig it out and upload sometime soon.

Since the date at the Zap Club I had armed myself with a copy of 'Ranting At The Nation' so I now understood the style.

So when Attila played at The Square last week marking his 35th year as a ranting poet and musician, it was strange to thing that I had shared 30 of those years!

In a night of celebration of the Harlow and Brighton music scenes of the late '70's and '80's the bill was wonderful as can be seen from the flyer at the top of this post.

A real highlight for me and an absolute live first came when Steve Drewett joined Attila on stage for a version of 'Mindless Violence/Andy Is A Corporatist', one of the most rousing anti-fascist messages that I know of.

Mindless Violence/Andy Is A Corporatist

The Square Harlow

11th September 2015

The night worked its way through Attila's long career, and 'Tyler Smiles' was another highlight, coming as it did on the eve of the announcement of the new era for the Labour Party.

The Piranhas headlined and although being the proud owner of the 'Tom Hark' single, one of the first ten singles I purchased I am sure, and coming from Brighton way, I had never seen them live. They were great and very funny, especially when Boring Bob shared his issues with Space Invaders machines!

Boring Bob Grover of The Piranhas

The Square Harlow

11th September 2015

'Space Invaders' by The Piranhas

All in all a great nights entertainment in my favourite of all venues The Square which will sadly close down..... a real loss for Harlow and live music generally!

'Triumph Over Adversity' - 'New' Album by The Newtown Neurotics Live At Brunel University 4th April 1987

Finally getting a proper release (this was made available online a good few years ago), Steve Drewett has put out the band's gig at Brunel University from April 1987.

It would have been shortly after this gig that I visited the Brunel campus in Uxbridge on an open day and I remember the poster for the gig well, hanging on one of those round display pillars (can't think of the proper term). This prompted me to think 'This place might be alright then'. I eventually arrived at Brunel in late September 1988, but sadly the Neurotics didn't come back. The nearest to an Uxbridge Neurotic event was an appearance by Steve at Uxbridge Labour Club. This was in October '88, but sadly I, amongst a handful of students with limited common sense and zero knowledge of the area, failed to find the venue..... 'Does Anyone Know Where The Gig Is?'. Actually it was only a few minutes walk away from the campus!

Brunel did get me into London in time to see a couple of the last gigs that the band did, a benefit at the Electric Ballroom (for Cable Street Beat if I recall correctly) and the last gig at the Fulham Greyhound on 29th October 1988.

Anyway, here's Steve Drewett's words on the album, which ends with a link to where you can get hold of it should you feel so inclined.

Hi ya,

Here at last, the legendary Triumph Over Adversity. The Newtown Neurotics live at Brunel University 04.04.1997 album.

'Triumph Over Adversity' is a terrific live album, how can it be anything else when the band were declared to be ‘One of Britain’s greatest power trio’s by Q magazine in May 2009 along with The Jam, Doves, Stereophonics, Motorhead, Muse, Cream, The Police, ELP and Manic Street Preachers”.

The band has long wanted this recording to be released as they feel it lives up to the Q magazine accolade perfectly.
The set was also close to being explosive as is explained by the story contained within the sleeve.
This release was in the middle of production when Colin Dredd aka Colin Masters died on the 19th March this year. This is not a cash-in, the artwork had not been completed when Colin passed away, so we updated and dedicated it to his memory.

The album showcases Colin in full flight, tight and fluid bass playing embracing and entwining with the rhythms of the drums, and singing his heart out until he was hoarse.

The cover version of Stand By Me included on this album was played as the last piece of music in this funeral 'set list' service to highlight the bond Simon and Steve had with their old friend and to celebrate his musical exclusivity with the group. Punk rock fact: The Newtown Neurotics was the only band he ever played in.

There is a free 'Triumph Over Adversity badge' given away with each purchase until the badges run out. Buy the album, wear the badge and listen to why he was proud to have only played with one band in his lifetime!
Follow the link on the image or the text to buy.

Here is the link to the album on sale on Amazon any purchases of which are then directed to the Drewett fulfillment Centre, i.e me.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Triumph-Over-Adversity-University-04-04-1987/dp/B011A2A7SQ/ref=sr_1_3?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1436544006&sr=1-3&keywords=Steve+Drewett

Steve Drewett at The Half Moon in Bishops Stortford 27th October 2012

Steve Drewett

The Half Moon, Bishops Stortford

27th October 2012

Last Saturday's Oxjam gig (a nationwide fund raising event for the Oxfam charity) was ideal for me. A gig in the back room of a pub within walking distance from home. This was the room that was the venue for both Gunta's 30th birthday and Rudi's christening many years ago.

As I mentioned in a previous post this was our local until we moved to the other side of the town (at the time it was run by a lovely couple, James and Helen - James it transpired after we had known each other for a couple of years was sometime stand in bass player for the Adicts). Since moving the frequency of our visits to this particular watering hole have diminished somewhat, so it was really great to catch up with a couple of people who we haven't seen for some time. And so it was that by the time I ventured into the back room for the gig I was a bit Wibbly Pig!

I spoke briefly to Steve before he was due to take to the stage. His set this time around was much more Neurotics orientated that on the previous times that I have seen him play solo (albeit some years ago). Two of these songs I recorded.

'Inch Away'

Steve Drewett

 

 

 

 

 

'This Fragile Life'

Steve Drewett

The set closed with a rousing rendition of 'Kick Out The Tories'. Well at least it was rousing in my head. Gunta informed me that I was 'helping' Steve with the vocals from the front of the stage... how kind of me.... such a socialist act!

Steve Drewett Uxbridge Labour Club October 1988

'Does Anyone Know Where The Gig Is?'

Here is a recording from the gig that I mentioned in the recent Neurotics post, the gig that I and a handful of other hapless students missed for want of common sense!

This must have been one of Steve's earliest solo gigs (the Neurotics were still a going concern for another week or so at this point in time) and he was clearly nervous at the prospect of stepping out on his own.

FLAC: https://rapidshare.com/files/2857007773/UxbridgeLabourClubOctober1988FLAC.zip

MP3: https://rapidshare.com/files/3220788850/UxbridgeLabourClubOctober1988MP3.zip

01. This Fragile Life
02. Angela
03. No Respect
04. Take Strike Action
05. If Only
06. Keep The Faith
07. Baby Don't You Grieve After Me
08. Afrika
09. Never Thought
10. Talk
11. Inch Away
12. Sweet Jesus

Some 24 years later and I will be seeing Steve Drewett play at the Half Moon pub (my old local) in Bishops Stortford (so a 5 minute walk down the road for me). This time I know where I'm going!

A review will follow.

'You're Always Alone With A Neurotic' by Steve Drewett

I picked this e-book up from Amazon some time ago for the princely sum of £1. Originally presented in the form of a blog written by Steve Drewett, singer and guitarist with Harlow punk stalwarts 'The Newtown Neurotics', the book runs along separate timelines which document the final days of the band in 1988 and the run up to reunion dates that the band played in 2005.

Highly introspective the book mixes Steve's thoughts on many of life's more personal events, love, fatherhood and bereavement... oh and there's a band in there somewhere. The confidence struggles described as the band prepared for the 2005 gigs was something of a surprise, not being something that you would perhaps associate with a musician who on and off has spent 30 years plus playing to paying audiences.

This book was all the more enjoyable because I was at the majority of the gigs described within it's 'pages'.

My association with the band goes back to about 1983 I suppose with the release of the 'Repercussions' album. The following year me and my mates got a first taste of politics in the latex form of 'Spitting Image' and The Miners Strike. In that year I was 15, three years away from the 1987 general election (where I calculated that the two votes cast by my friend and I accounted for 2% of the Labour vote on my ward.... that's Mid Sussex for you!), but I was taking this stuff in.

The first PM I consciously remember was Jim Callaghan.... and then in 1979 she came along! From that point onwards, politics seemed to be unavoidable, from the 1981 inner city riots to the Grand Hotel bombing in 1984, via the Falklands conflict of '82.

In the mid '80s, as well as listening to The Stranglers, The Damned and... and... I was listening to more political music. Crass and Conflict were fine, but in the music of The Neurotics and Billy Bragg I saw something that I though was more attainable.

Messers Bragg & Drewett

My first opportunity to see The Neurotics was at The Richmond Hotel in Brighton. For some reason, I didn't make it on that night, but my mates that did go reported something of a pitched battle with right wing Crawley skins intent on disrupting the gig. The next visit to the town was scheduled to be at the Zap Club, but again I was unlucky as on this occasion Steve Drewett had just had his wisdom teeth removed , so Attila did the honours on the night. And so it was that my first gig was in January 1986 at The Basement and the band proved to be worth the wait.

With a ticket price to make you smile

Two years later I found myself at Brunel University. When I got there there were still posters up advertising a gig that the band played there in 1987. This gig has subsequently been released and Steve has described it as one of the best gigs the band ever played.

Two weeks into the course and we got word that Steve was playing a solo gig at the Uxbridge Labour Club. In a scene reminiscent of 'Does Anyone Know Where The March Is?' five of us walked around the dark streets of Uxbridge looking for the venue (which it turns out was about 5 minutes walk from the campus). Handfuls of A levels and not a jot of common sense between us... that's students for you!

Next up was an anti-fascist gig at The Electric Ballroom, with Attila, Howling Wilf, The Neurotics and The Men They Couldn't Hang. Most memorable in my mind was standing next to Shane McGowan at the bar (where else) who to my disgust was wearing a Level 42 shirt!!

Last call for The Neurotics was their gig at the Fulham Greyhound.

'Blitzkrieg Bop'

Fulham Greyhound

29th October 1988

This was the bollocks, a full on celebration of the band's achievements over their then 10 year existence.

Post Neurotics Steve formed The Indestructible Beat who I saw just the once at The Camden Workers Social Club at a Cable Street Beat event. I found the flyer the other day.

The billed International Brigade speaker was ill if I remember correctly, so on the night in stepped Mensi to deliver the anti-fascist message (who was infinitely more sweary than the old man would have been!).

The years then passed during which time I moved with my wife to Bishops Stortford, just down the road from Neurotics Central.

When the band finally reformed in 2004 to mark the launch of the superb 'Stortbeat' compilation, I missed it.... I didn't even know that it had taken place, but I was ready in 2005 when the band made the decision to venture beyond The Square once again. These are some of the gigs described in 'You're Always Alone With A Neurotic'. I bounced for all I was worth, like the portly middle-aged man that I am, in Harlow, London and Brighton. The London gig was particularly joyous until I missed the last train back to Stortford. My attempts to sleep cuddled up to the bronze sculpture of evacuees near the entrance to Liverpool Street station was futile as the hangover kicked in. Pissed as I was that night, it meant a lot to me to have a brief chat with Colin Dredd, original bass player, who despite being unable to commit fully to the band at that time, clearly still shared the passion for what the band were doing.

The Neurotics are still going, albeit without Colin and Simon, but sadly nothing has really changed and the relevance of much of the material is undiminished!