Ned's Atomic Dustbin

Ned's Atomic Dustbin

Ned's Atomic Dustbin performing at Wolverhampton's Wulfrun Hall, December 2012. Left to right: Alex Griffin, Dan Worton, Matt Cheslin, Jonn Penney, Rat
Background information
Origin Stourbridge, England
Genres Alternative rock, power pop, Grebo, indie punk
Years active 1987–1995 (original line up)
2000–2008 (reformation line up)
2008–present (original line up)
Labels Furtive
Sony
Columbia
Spitfirepink
Website www.nedsatomicdustbin.com
Members Jonn Penney
Alex Griffin
Dan Worton
Gareth "Rat" Pring
Matt Cheslin
Past members Andy King
Martin Warlow
Wiz
Floyd
Tracey 1987-1989

Ned's Atomic Dustbin are an English rock band formed in Stourbridge in West Midlands in November 1987.[1] The band took their name from an episode of The Goon Show.[2] The band are unusual for using two bass players in their lineup: Alex Griffin plays melody lines high up on one bass, and Mat Cheslin plays the regular bass lines on the other. This gives the band a tense and highly driven sub-hardcore sound featuring distorted effects-laden guitar and energetic drums.[2]

The band was formed while at sixth form college and they recorded their first album while some of the members were still teenagers. This led to a strong teenaged fanbase with a reputation for enjoying crowd surfing and moshing at their gigs. The band was also noted (and occasionally ridiculed) for their early image, which consisted of uniformly crimped hair and a predilection for sporting shorts and band or skateboard T-shirts. "The Neds" (as their fans referred to them) were well known for their own distinctive T-shirts, reportedly producing over 86 different designs within three years (1987–1990).[3] (In 2009, Jonn Penney stated, "We're still adding designs - old habits die hard".)[4]

History

Ned's Atomic Dustbin quickly gathered a strong fanbase after being offered a support slot by local heroes The Wonder Stuff on their 1989 and 1990 UK tours. During 1990, Ned's Atomic Dustbin signed with Birmingham based indie label Chapter 22 Records for their debut release, The Ingredients EP, followed by a single, "Kill Your Television", which reached No. 92 and No. 53 respectively in the UK singles chart . "Kill Your Television" also topped the UK independent singles chart. This, combined with their acclaimed live reputation, drew a huge crowd to their afternoon appearance on the main stage of the Reading Festival in August 1990. The buzz created was significant enough to catalyse the interest of major record labels. One final single for Chapter 22 followed, "Until You Find Out", but distribution problems meant that many fans were left unable to purchase copies, thus stunting its chart progress. It eventually stalled at No. 51. Frustrated, the band finally decided to sign to Sony Records, on the proviso that they be allowed to release their music through their own Furtive label - thus regaining a higher degree of creative control while still enjoying the benefit of the major label's distribution and advertising clout.

In March 1991, Ned's Atomic Dustbin found themselves in the UK top 20 with their next single, "Happy", their Sony/Furtive debut. It reached No. 16 and earned the band the first of two Top Of The Pops appearances. They released their debut album God Fodder shortly afterwards, in April 1991, which made No. 4 in the UK top 40 albums chart. In July 1991, the British music magazine, NME, noted that the band were, along with KLF, Seal, The La's and Electronic, making their mark in the United States.[5] The band released a new UK single, "Trust", towards the end of 1991, while America got the God Fodder versions of "Kill Your Television" and "Grey Cell Green", the video for the latter track proving to be a big hit on MTV's taste-making alternative show 120 Minutes. During 1991, the group toured around the world with, amongst others, Mega City Four, Senseless Things and Jesus Jones. They recorded their second album Are You Normal? in 1992,[6] which was promoted by the singles "Not Sleeping Around", "Intact" and, in some European territories, "Walking Through Syrup".

Having headlined the NME stage at the Glastonbury Festival in 1992, the band spent the next couple of years on a worldwide tour, releasing a compilation of older non-album material and two new tracks called "0.522" in 1994 before decamping to Wales to record their final album, Brainbloodvolume. While still retaining the band's trademark melodic sensibilities, this album boasted a heavier, more diverse sound than their previous releases, moving away from the distinctive twin bass set-up to incorporate samplers and keyboards. Sony released the album in America before the UK, meaning that most die-hard fans bought it on import. This damaged its UK chart position when it was eventually released domestically, increasing tensions between the band and their label.

Ned's Atomic Dustbin had one last UK top 40 single with "All I Ask of Myself Is That I Hold Together" in 1995, following a final appearance on The Word, while the uncharacteristically slow number, "Stuck", became the band's final single, making the BBC Radio One B-list. In 1995, after an extensive US tour to support Brainbloodvolume, Ned's Atomic Dustbin split up in New York City following what would be their final show.

Singer Penney formed a new band, Groundswell (initially featuring Ned's Atomic Dustbin guitarist, Rat), who recorded one single, "Corrode", and a studio album Plausible/Infeasible for New Jersey based indie label, Gig Records. They disbanded shortly thereafter - in fact, the album was only actually released after their demise.

One reviewer writes, "At the time of their inception, there was no other band like Ned’s Atomic Dustbin. To this very day, there still isn’t. No matter how many up-and-coming acts from England, or even America, have tried to fine-tune their sound to resemble that of Ned’s, it still falls utterly short of perfection."[7]Another reviewer writes: "Ned's Atomic Dustbin are clearly attempting to sound like American band Dag Nasty, only NAD are not nearly as good as Dag Nasty."

Ned's Atomic Dustbin took the stage in 2000 for the first time since their initial breakup for a show in Dudley with Groundswell members Andy King and Martin Warlow taking the place of Mat Cheslin and Rat. Originally billed as "the last 30 minutes of Ned's Atomic Dustbin," it was intended as an opportunity to say a proper goodbye to British fans who never got to see a final Ned's show. However, the resounding success convinced members of the band to continue working together, and they continue to perform sporadically ever since. 2004 saw the band perform two new songs, "Hibernation" and "Ambush". In 2005 they again played a few late-December gigs, and on 5 June 2006 their first new single in 11 years, "Hibernation", was released,[8] supported with a weekend concert series called "Ned-Fest". The single was available as both a download and a CD, available to buy online via their website.

The video game NCAA Football 2006 for PlayStation 2 and Xbox features the song "Kill Your Television".[9] Their song "Grey Cell Green" is featured in the video game Saints Row for the Xbox 360 platform, on "The Rock" radio station.[10] The Neds' cover version of the Bay City Rollers song "Saturday Night" features in the movie So I Married an Axe Murderer.[11]

On 7 May 2007, a compilation album was released with the name of Some Furtive Years - A Ned's Anthology:[12] "Furtive" is a reference to their earlier record label. Unlike the others, this compilation features liner notes by Penney and Cheslin, offering insight into the background of songs featured on the album.

Reunited

On 12 May 2008, the band announced that the original line-up would be performing live together for the first time since 1995, for a gig in London at The Astoria.[13][14] When asked about performing together for the first time in over a decade, Penney stated, "It just felt right! There was the understandable awkwardness when we stood in a room together for the first time in 13 years, but that just melted away as soon as we started to play the songs."[4] "We didn't really know what was going to happen once we got playing on stage, because it had been such a long time since we'd all been in it together. It's different from rehearsal. It was such an incredible kind of electric feeling atmosphere for everybody. You felt at one with the crowd again, similar to very early on, when everybody was excited about what was happening."[15] Matt Cheslin says, "It was great, it's been quite nostalgic. I haven't played for the whole time that I haven't been in the band, but some of the really old songs I remember more. You do really notice the difference in the really early songs. It was as exciting as it was when I was 17."[15]

Of the reunion shows, Penney said: "The reunion shows have gone down well and the fans gave us a massive welcome back so we wanted to do something different for them and play the album that made it happen for us. It was a time that was exciting for us and the fans, it is not an anniversary as such, we just wanted to celebrate that album and era."[15]

Penney spoke of the loyalty of Ned's Atomic Dustbin fans in a 2009 interview. "We see masses of familiar faces every time we play - we were always pretty familiar with our audiences anyway and we're very lucky that so many of them are so loyal to us. People still fly in to shows from all over the world - Japan, Australia, Canada, U.S. and all over Europe. It's incredibly humbling to see these people keep coming back."[4]

When asked if Ned's Atomic Dustbin is planning on recording any new material together, Penney replied, "I think we will, but don't hold your breath – song writing is a slow process for Ned's."[4]

The band has continued to play event-style gigs with other 1990s indie bands, such as the Nedstock shows in Leeds, Birmingham and London with Republica and Cud in November 2013.[16] On 24 May 2014, Ned's Atomic Dustbin headlined the Gigantic Classic Indie All-Dayer in Manchester, with The Wedding Present, Cud, The Frank and Walters and The Sultans of Ping FC.[17] In 2014 Ned's Atomic Dustbin also joined a host of 90's Indie stars to play the first Mute Elephant Promotions 'Indie Daze' festival on 13th September, at The Forum in Kentish Town.

The band headlined at The Koko in Camden on July 17th 2015, and played the KYTV (Kill Your Television) Festival at the Wolverhampton Civic in December 2015 before it closed for refurbishment. Ned's are scheduled to headline the 2016 KYTV Festival at the Manchester Academy on October 29th, 2016.

Members

Classic lineup 1989–1995, 2008–present

Reformation-era members, 2000–2008

Discography

Furtive was the band's own label distributed under Sony, which allowed the band to retain a level of independence and control (although which subsidiary of Sony distributed each release depended on which one and where it was bought. In the UK it was Sony Soho Square, Japan Epic, and in the US they were shifted about - first Columbia, then Chaos, then Work.)

Albums

Year Title Label Other information
1990 Bite Chapter 22 Collection of the first two singles plus two other demo tracks, released without the band's consent.
1991 God Fodder Furtive Début album
1992 And Besides... Japanese only b-side collection
Are You Normal? Second studio album
1994 0.522 B-side and compilation track collection
1995 Brainbloodvolume Final studio album
1998 Intact - The Singles Collection Sony Compilation.
2001 One More: No More Gig Live, 29 June 2000
2003 Terminally Groovy: The Best of Ned's Atomic Dustbin Castle "Best of" compilation
2004 Session Shakedown Re-recordings, live in studio
2007 Some Furtive Years: A Ned's Anthology Camden Compilation
2009 Reunited: 21 Years 21 Songs Nyquest Live, 23 May 2009
2015 KYTV 25: Live at Koko Nyquest Live, 17 July 2015

Singles and EPs

Year Title Label UK Singles Chart[18] US Modern Rock[19] Other information
May 1990 The Ingredients EP Chapter 22 92   First release
July 1990 "Kill Your Television" 53    
October 1990 "Until You Find Out" 51    
March 1991 "Happy" Furtive 16 11 First release on Sony. No. 11 US Modern Rock.
September 1991 "Trust" 21    
1991 "Grey Cell Green"   24 US Release. No. 24 US Modern Rock
1992 "Kill Your Television"     US Release
October 1992 "Not Sleeping Around" 19 1 #1 US Modern Rock (in 1993)
December 1992 "Intact" 36    
1992 Live In Wolverhampton     French 3-Song Live Single with "Nothing Like" as the A-Side
February 1993 "Walking Through Syrup"   13 European/Australian/American Release. No. 13 US Modern Rock
1993 "Saturday Night" Columbia   26 Cover of the Bay City Rollers track. No. 26 US Modern Rock
March 1995 "All I Ask of Myself Is That I Hold Together" Furtive 33    
May 1995 The Black Dog and Beaumont Hannant Remixes     Remix EP of single All I Ask of Myself Is That I Hold Together
July 1995 "Stuck" 64    
June 2006 "Hibernation" Spitfirepink 92    

Video and DVD

Year Title Label Other information
1991 Nothing Is Cool SMV Entertainment Live and on tour footage
1993 Lunatic Magnets Mock interview and music videos
2003 Shoot the Neds! In Concert Secret Films Live, 1 June 2002
2007 ...Don't Exist Twelve42 Films Documentary and live footage - Directed by Carl Beebee & AJ Davies.

References

  1. ↑ "Ned's Atomic Dustbin – Discover music, videos, concerts, stats, & pictures at". Last.fm. 11 February 2009. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  2. 1 2 Archived 7 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine.
  3. ↑ "Ned's Atomic Dustbin tickets, concerts and tour dates. Official Ticketmaster site". Ticketmaster.ca. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Ned's Atomic Dustbin interview". The Music Fix. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  5. ↑ Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 486. CN 5585.
  6. ↑ "Ned's Atomic Dustbin: Information from". Answers.com. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  7. ↑ "Reviews". Earcandymag.com. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  8. ↑ "Ned's Atomic Dustbin / Ned's Atomic Dustbin // Drowned In Sound". Drownedinsound.com. 26 December 2004. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  9. ↑ "NCAA Football 2006 (2005) (VG) - Soundtracks". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2014-08-19.
  10. ↑ IGN Music (8 August 2006). "Saints Row Delivers A Sonic Blitz - Music News at IGN". Music.ign.com. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  11. ↑ "So I Married an Axe Murderer (1993) - Soundtracks". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2014-08-19.
  12. ↑ "Ned's Atomic Dustbin Albums - Yahoo! Music". New.music.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  13. ↑ "Neds Atomic Dustbin News". Nedsatomicdustbin.com. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  14. ↑ "Ned's Atomic Dustbin to reunite | News". Nme.Com. 12 May 2008. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  15. 1 2 3 "Ned's look back for Base Sessions special (From Stourbridge News)". Stourbridgenews.co.uk. 9 December 2009. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  16. ↑ "Ned's Atomic Dustbin celebrate 25 years with bash in Birmingham". Birmingham Mail. 2013-11-22. Retrieved 2014-08-19.
  17. ↑ "Ned's Atomic Dustbin, The Wedding Present and more line up for Manchester's 'Gigantic Classic Indie All-Dayer'". Live4ever.uk.com. 2014-02-13. Retrieved 2014-08-19.
  18. ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 389. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  19. ↑ "Ned's Atomic Dustbin - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 2014-08-19.
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