THE NEUROTICS (Final Interview) .
APiTO
Talking about maturing songwriting... "as I get older I want to reflect what I feel about the world at the age I am at that time. I am a honest songwriter (I hope?) and to carry on screaming lyrics like an angry (which I still am) young (which I'm not so much) man (which I obviously am) would be bullshit."
Steve Drewett
To me the NEUROTICS have always been a politically and socially aware band, is this the reason you garner so much opposition in UK zines as a "reds under the bed", "commie" band? Is there a McCarthyism attitude in the "scene"?
Steve Drewett / NEUROTICS
I am not aware we are exposed to any opposition in U.K. fanzines. There's no McCarthyism as such but young people here are either politically neutral or are self-centred enough to support the Tories who think only of the rich and in fact treat young people like shit.APiTO
The NEUROTICS have supported many strike funds, benefits, against capitalism, nazism, etc. Do you feel events staged by the multi-national record companies like LIVE AID are in fact money-making ploys deceiving the ignorant masses?
Steve / NEUROTICS
I think it was a rather naive way of trying to solve the third world starvation issue. What needs to be done is, as well as financial aid, an international commission needs to point out how the rich countries' foreign affairs affect the third world and put pressure on offenders to change their policies. The main offenders should be on a list of shame.APiTO
Billy Bragg, one of your contemporaries, has copped loads of criticism for signing with CBS. Do you think he has "sold out" as the critics say, or is he helping change things by being in a position to reach many people? Or is the truth somewhere in-between?
Steve / NEUROTICS
Billy Bragg is a friend of mine and I can only say that although our political views are opposed at times I still think he is one of the most genuine pop performers in rock today. It is good that he is on a major label so there is something intelligent in the charts. His views are the sort of ideas that should be heard by the rock/pop culture. This is very healthy.APiTO
The latest LP, "Is Your Washroom Breeding Bolsheviks?", by the NEUROTICS, has a few love songs on it. However even these have subtle social commentary - are you striving to reach a wider audience or is it a maturation of the bands' songwriting - being creative and trying new territory?
Steve / NEUROTICS
It's definitely a maturity in my song-writing, as I get older I want to reflect what I feel about the world at the age I am at that time. I am a honest songwriter (I hope?) and to carry on screaming lyrics like an angry (which I still am) young (which I'm not so much) man (which I obviously am) would be bullshit.APiTO
I know that the band like Lennon, especially Steve. How do you respond to people who say he wasn't true to his ideals, e.g. signing to EMI - an arms investor? (I personally like Lennon too - I think he showed that individuals can change things).
Steve / NEUROTICS
I think that any record company that was big enough to handle Lennon probably had investments in some ugly scene or other. Like many hugely famous and talented people Lennon was flawed, not a perfect human being, but I prefer people who try to do something. It is better than when all a pop star can think of to do is to flaunt his/her wealth to a largely poverty stricken world.APiTO
How did the last European tour go? Did you get a good reaction?
Steve / NEUROTICS
The last European tour was fantastic with overwhelming audience reactions, despite us having a stand-in bass player because Colin was ill at home with pleurisy and was too weak to travel.APiTO
What current bands do you like? Any good LP's that you've heard lately?
Steve / NEUROTICS
I've become very disillusioned with rock music recently and have become interested in African music. I have a lot of African compilation LP's of grass roots bands bashing out a tune on very cheap instruments, this sounds to me like a new, very fresh type of punk music.APiTO
Any plans to tour Australia, the USA, or Japan?
Steve / NEUROTICS
Well, as you can see from the enclosed information that we no longer exist, but it is sad that I recently played solo for a couple of weeks in North Korea, which is the nearest I've ever got to Australia, but I couldn't afford the time to travel on afterwards. Shame.APiTO
Is the proposed "poll tax" going to make things more difficult for independent bands in the UK?
Steve / NEUROTICS
Not for bands, but for many families, and especially the old and sick and students. They are being made to pay tax when they didn't use to, and the extra money goes into the rich people's pockets.APiTO
On his solo LP, Morrissey has a song "Margaret on the Guillotine". Would you support those sentiments?
Steve / NEUROTICS
Yes, I consider her a murderess due to her trying to destroy the National Health Service, the very sick can't be given the drugs they need because there's no money for them.
Colin Dredd on stage in Utrecht, Holland APiTO
Any other comments?Steve / NEUROTICS
Thanks very much for your letter. I'm sorry I've brought the bad news about the NEUROTICS. I've a new band on the way called THE INDESTRUCTIBLE BEAT, Which is quite a lot different from the old band, but I love it. We're a young band so it will be quite a while before we might get a record contract so nothing will be available for a year or so. Thanks anyway for your interest and support, a NEUROTICS compilation LP of all the early singles will be released early 1990.APiTO
Thanks to Steve and THE NEUROTICS for the interview and prompt reply. Special thanks also for your example and inspiration you've given me, and the fine music you've left as the (NEWTOWN) NEUROTICS legacy. Best of luck with the new band.
Copyright No Wonder Communications
