New Model Army + Special guest Chameleons

Flytjendur

• 

  New Model Army

  New Model Army is a modern punk band, more melodic than many of their classic counterparts, and widely respected for their unwavering political stance, and working class ethics. The band was named after the English revolutionary army of Oliver Cromwell. Led by guitarist / vocalist, Justin Sullivan (who performed under the name Slade The Leveller in the early 1980s) it was formed in 1980 together with drummer Robert Heaton and bassist Stuart Morrow in their hometown of Bradford, England. The group quickly grew an extremely loyal cult following, referred to as "the Family" by members, which to some extent is still extremely loyal. The band collaborated with electric violinist Ed Alleyne-Johnson, who worked with them on their Top 30 single "Vagabonds", and their album Thunder And Consolation, as well as touring extensively with them for five years. The group also tours as 'Justin Sullivan and Friends' which means a more acoustic set without some players (which ones varies), and is linked to Red Sky Coven, in which Justin Sullivan also plays. In early 2003, Sullivan released Navigating by the Stars, a solo album recorded with other band members and featuring Danny Thompson on double bass, and Mark Feltham on harmonica. After a short tour at the end of 2004, the group returned to the studio to record their ninth studio album, Carnival. EMI recently released a couple of remixed earlier albums. As the band themselves say it: "Although there is nothing new within the packages they have been very sympathetically re-packed and remastered and do sound very, very good." In 2004 their founding drummer, Robert Heaton, died of pancreatic cancer. Heaton was a key part of the band and formed a formidable song writing partnership with Sullivan. Other noteable previous members include Dave Bloomberg, Jason 'Moose' Harris, & Ricky Warwick. Warwick went on to form The Almighty while Bloomberg left to form the band Nozzle. The current members of the band include Nelson on Bass, Dean White on guitar, and Marshall Ward also on guitar. The band's drummer is Micheal Dean. In August of 2007 the Band released the album High (the North American release was in September). An extensive tour through N+S America and Europe as well as some other places was short-circuited by the band's inability to secure a U.S. visa. This is the second time in the band's history the INS has refused them entry. www.newmodelarmy.org/fhome.htm

• 

  The Chameleons

  The atmospheric pop band the Chameleons formed in Manchester, England, in 1981 from the ashes of a number of local groups: vocalist/bassist Mark Burgess began with the Cliches, guitarists Reg Smithies and Dave Fielding arrived from the Years, and drummer John Lever (who quickly replaced founding member Brian Schofield) originated with the Politicians. After establishing themselves with a series of high-profile BBC sessions, the Chameleons signed to Epic and debuted with the tense, moody single "In Shreds," produced by Steve Lillywhite and released in March 1982.

  The quartet was soon released from its contract with Epic, but then signed to Statik and returned in 1983 with the band's first full-length effort, Script of the Bridge. What Does Anything Mean? Basically followed in 1985, and with it came a new reliance on stylish production; following its release, the Chameleons signed to Geffen and emerged the following year with Strange Times. The dark, complex record proved to be the Chameleons' finale, however, when they split following the sudden death of manager Tony Fletcher; while Burgess and Lever continued on in the Sun & the Moon , Smithies and Fielding later reunited in the Reegs . In 1993, Burgess surfaced with his proper solo album Zima Junction. He and his band the Sons of God toured America the following year.

  As the '90s came and went, the four members of the Chameleons UK continued to work on music and see one another on a personal basis. While their own musical projects kept them busy, a reunion was practically inevitable. The Chameleons reconnected in January 2000 to prep for three May dates in England. The acoustic-based, self-released Strip was available by showtime and for a limited time only. Additional European dates followed throughout the summer, and by fall the Chameleons UK played their first American shows in nearly 15 years. Several live efforts appeared shortly thereafter. Why Call It Anything? (2001) marked the Chameleons' first studio album since 1986's Strange Times. This Never Ending Now appeared two years later. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi