New Model Army tonight..

[Over the Hill]

...at Tramshed....any other city fans going like?

[Loramski]

...at Tramshed....any other city fans going like?

No.

You're the guy who regrets never seeing The Redskins live yeah? that thread got me digging around to find out what happened to them, Chris Dean in particular, but there's very little info. Google searches keep leading to the Washington Redskins which makes it even more tricky but I really don't think there's much to find anyway.

Basically, they broke up after a concert in Germany in '86 (I'll put a clip of this at the bottom) but were meant to reform later in the year for farewell gigs but they never happened. They ended up owing £136,000 and apparently Dean was still being hounded for money years after. He went to live with his girlfriend in France around '88 and has pretty much lived as a recluse ever since. He's meant to have moved back with his mum in York in the early 2000s but there doesn't seem to be a record of any public appearances or even utterances. His choice, of course, but for someone who couldn't shut up through the early '80s it seems bizarre. Bassist Martin Hewes (now a teacher) says he has had no contact with Dean since the band split.

There's meant to be an offer on the table from promoters AGMP for the band to reform so you may get to see them yet but apparently Dean isn't interested.

Here's that clip from their final gig (not perfect quality). Probably not what you'd expect; a couple of short jazzy tunes followed by an excellent cover of Billy Bragg's Levi Stubbs Tears. I liked Dean, and he's on good form here, but it seems that he wasn't a nice man at all. Certainly a character though, it would be interesting to see him back.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgpZV-Y-0io

[ian gibson]

Weren't the redskins all members of the socialist workers party? I'm sure I met one of them during the 84/85 miners strike.

[Loramski]

Weren't the redskins all members of the socialist workers party? I'm sure I met one of them during the 84/85 miners strike.

That's them, yes.

[Over the Hill]

Thank you for the information Loramski. I agree there's very information so the update is much appreciated. Got all their recordings and even a Russian import of the track "it can be done". I also kept a news paper article circa 1985 following the release of "keep on keeping" and where the band talking passionately about politics, being skins and their love of music. Yes, would love to see them but I fear so much time has elapsed since the split and I wonder if the appetite will be there too. Thanks.

[Over the Hill]

......by the way New Model Army were excellent of Friday too...