A band to file under the futuristic side of punk, along with the likes of Ultravox and XTC, Neo originally started life as "Radio" back in April, 1976.

"Radio" consisted of Ian North (ex-Milk 'n' Cookies) on guitar and vocals, Martin Gordon (ex-Sparks, ex-Jet) on bass along with Paul Simon on drums. Martin Gordon would leave later in the year in order to work with ex-Jet vocalist Andy Ellison and form "Radio Stars". Paul Simon would help them out in their early days by playing drums on their first recordings.

"Radio", meanwhile brought in George Dyner on bass as replacement and went into the studio to record a set of demos, these were re-mastered back in 2007 but have yet to be released. The band would also support Ultravox on their first headline gig at the Nashville in Kensington on November 2nd, 1976.

By April 1977 George had gone and the band continued as a three piece outfit with Ian taking on bass duties with Paul's brother Robert (aka; Robin) Simon joining on the band on guitar, a name change was needed and "Neo" were born.

 

GIGOGRAPHY

 

Late.05.77; MARQUEE CLUB, SOHO, LONDON (First Gig)

24.06.77; ROXY CLUB, LONDON WC2 (s/ The Saints & Bethnal)

26.06.77; MAN IN THE MOON, CHELSEA, LONDON

27.06.77; MUSIC MACHINE, CAMDEN, LONDON

30.06.77; NASHVILLE, KENSINGTON, LONDON

02.07.77; MARQUEE CLUB, SOHO, LONDON (s/ Gloria Mundi)

03.07.77; MAN IN THE MOON, CHELSEA, LONDON

08.07.77; HOPE & ANCHOR, ISLINGTON, LONDON (early) (s/ The Police)

08.07.77; SPEAKEASY, OXFORD CIRCUS, LONDON (late)

10.07.77; MAN IN THE MOON, CHELSEA, LONDON

14.07.77; MARQUEE CLUB, SOHO, LONDON (s/ Ultravox)

19.07.77; RAILWAY HOTEL, PUTNEY, LONDON (s/ Boomtown Rats)

25.07.77; VORTEX, SOHO, LONDON (s/ The Adverts)

30.07.77; ROXY CLUB, LONDON WC2 (s/ New Hearts)

02.08.77; MUSIC MACHINE, CAMDEN, LONDON (s/ Gloria Mundi)

29.08.77; VORTEX, SOHO, LONDON (s/ Chelsea)

02.09.77; BOSSARD HALL, LEIGHTON BUZZARD (s/ Scratch)

23.09.77; VORTEX CAFE, HANWAY STREET, LONDON

10.10.77; VORTEX, SOHO, LONDON (record "Live At The Vortex" LP)

The band are booked to play elsewhere that night so they play just two songs "Small Lives" and "Tell Me The Truth" before the club opens, crowd noise and vocal overdubs are later added in the studio.

14.10.77; SPEAKEASY, OXFORD CIRCUS, LONDON

15.10.77; THE BELL, KINGS CROSS, LONDON

17.10.77; ROCK GARDEN, COVENT GARDEN, LONDON

24.10.77; ALBANY EMPIRE, DEPTFORD, LONDON

25.10.77; INTERVISION VIDEO, LONDON

The above was funded by Charisma Records the band record a two track video demo of "Tran-sister" and "She Kills Me".

Both songs can be seen on Youtube.

29.10.77; QUEEN MARY COLLEGE, MILE END, LONDON

02.11.77; MARQUEE CLUB, SOHO, LONDON (s/ The Boys & Solid Waste)

14.11.77; MUSIC MACHINE, CAMDEN, LONDON (s/ Bethnal)

15.11.77; MUSIC MACHINE, CAMDEN, LONDON (s/ Richard Hell & The Voidoids)

05.12.77; VORTEX, SOHO, LONDON ("Live At The Vortex" LP launch party with The Wasps & Mean Street)

21.03.78; VORTEX, SOHO, LONDON (advertised, but did it take place?, Original line up last gig?)

 

In late February 1978 Robert left the band in order to join Ultravox, his brother Paul would also leave. Ian continued on with Neo with various line ups over the next two years including a support slot on tour with Magazine, a single "Trans-sister" in November 1978 and a self titled album.

 

JOE PUBLIC

2013