photos by Harriet Roberts

"New Model Army was among the best of punk rock's second wave back in the 1980s. While many of the originals were beginning to soften under corporate pressure to produce a more commercial sound by the end of the '70s (The Clash, et al), New Model Army valiantly picked up the emotionally and politically- charged torch and gave the flagging genre new life and hope.

Despite its relative stateside obscurity, 30 years later, with 14 studio and six live albums to its credit, New Model Army is one of the only original punk bands that has continued to make solid music together.

Today, The Bradford, UK, band - originally a trio; now a quintet - might be considered more of a straight-ahead rock band were it not for principal singer-songwriter, Justin Sullivan, who ensures a soulful, intense quality with every release, including the band's latest, "Today Is A Good Day" (Attack Attack). The record proves the band is not only as relevant and powerful as ever, but more eclectic in style and range.-[SILive]

New Model Army's new album hits store shelves last year, the band's 29th. This year the band played a pair of shows at The Bell House on Friday, 9/3 (where this set comes from) and Saturday, 9/4 (a set of pictures coming later), in celebration of their thirtieth year in existence, as well as a forthcoming 30th anniversary boxset, which the band will take preorders for in the near future.

If you weren't at these shows, it might have been because you were up at Kutcher's for ATP or out of town for Labor Day Weekend.

More pictures below...

Continue reading "New Model Army played the Bell House (night 1 pics) "

by Bill Pearis

We have always been a band concerned with looking forwards rather than back. And, as we approach our 30th Anniversary, we find ourselves in an almost unique and privileged position: we can go on tour (the most recent Today Is A Good Day tour featured 90 shows in 20 countries) and play our current material with barely a nod to our long history and our audience accept and appreciate this. There is almost no other 'old' band who could make the same boast.

However, to mark the 30 years, this Autumn we will indulge in a moment of nostalgia and pride in what we have created. Each weekend we'll be in a city for a two-night stand. The format of the shows will be two sets on each night - the first starting acoustically and building up over 50 minutes or so. Then a short 20 minute break before another full-on set of up to 100 minutes including encores. The following evening we will do the same but with 100% different material.

Our promise is to play at least 4 songs from each of the 13 studio albums (including the two B Sides/Lost Songs compilations). These will not be played in chronological order, or album by-album, but a random choice. It's possible that we may also feature guest appearances from friends and former members on some nights but we make no promises at this point. We hope also to include a display of at least a small part of the New Model Army 'One Tribe' Exhibition of original artwork and memorabilia - depending on the nature and geography of the venue.

We will make further announcements as the shows get nearer.

Looking forward to it,
Justin Sullivan

Your chance in New York for this two-night look back at New Model Army's career will be September 3 and 4 at the Bell House. Tickets are on sale now, either $24 for individual days (Sept 3 and Sept 4) or $45 for a two-night pass.

One of the longest-running post-punk bands ever, New Model Army combined the political convictions of Billy Bragg, the anthemic force of U2 (or maybe the Alarm) and the dental work of The Pogues. Songs like "51st State" and "Stupid Questions" are still fist-pumping classics. And still going strong, as frontman Justin Sullivan wrote above. Jack Rabid, founder of The Big Takeover, said this of NMA's 2005 album, Carnival:

Twenty-one years after their debut with Vengeance, Bradford, England's New Model Army are still going strong. Their ninth studio LP and first in five years is their most direct, mainlined energy since 1993's The Love of Hopeless Causes. The music sometimes takes you by force, but just as often is content to tease and beckon to you at the foggy, wintry, slower, preoccupied pace that saturates the second half.

All confirmed New Model Army 30th Anniversary shows and some videos are below.

Continue reading "New Model Army celebrating 30 years w/ special shows"

DOWNLOAD: New Model Army - Wired (MP3 from "High")

Last time they tried this they had some trouble getting into the country. Definitely here this time, New Model Army play a show at Maxwell's in Hoboken tonight (March 19), play one at Southpaw tomorrow (March 20), tour around the country for a month, and then come back to NYC to end the tour at Mercury Lounge on April 18th. All dates below....

Continue reading "New Model Army - 2008 Tour Dates (3 NYC-area shows)"

Beth Ditto in Pop Magazine - Aug 2007 (more)

New album won't be finished in time, too tired, and VISA issues - those are the respective reasons The Gossip, Noisettes and New Model Army are giving for canceling their upcomining tours. More info below....

Continue reading "The Gossip, Noisettes & New Model Army cancel tours"

New Model Army's 10th studio album High is out September 4th, and that's around when they're starting a North American tour that includes stops at Mercury Lounge, Maxwell's, and Southpaw. All tour dates below....

Continue reading "New Model Army - 2007 Tour Dates"