What is your best New Model Army memory?

[Master Ray]

OK, not my fave NMA memory but a story I like to tell... think I've told it before so, as Morrissey once said, 'stop me if you've heard this one before...'

November 2011, Leeds Academy, me and my mate Dan (who's as obsessed with NMA as I am) were going to see Carter USM and, full of beer and laughs, we were having a last smoke a few yards from the entrance... when Dan said something like 'hmmm, lkkk ovvrrr therrr...'

Things were a bit blurry by this point, so I leaned in a bit closer, wondering if he was having a stroke or something (well, he's a bit older than me... )

By this point he's jerking his neck over to the left rather harshly, still mumbling, so I look over, and there is a certain Mr Sullivan, not three feet from us...

Now I've met Mr Sullivan a few times, but always at gigs... it's so odd to meet a hero of yours in completely random circumstances.  Had a couple of brief chats before.  In this instance, though, I left him alone. My attitude is that if you get the chance to talk with anyone from NMA, that's fine, but ONLY if you're at a gig or something immediately afterwards.  If you run into them on their own time... let the man have his private life.

Still... a memory that always puts a smile on my face.

[Simon73]

there are a few. But right now I remember when thay played Berlin in a good venue in 2005 and the crowd was mad and they called them back at least 3 times. and also Dublin last year in the small pub........completely another atmosphere but great.

[andydrbeard]

OK - this is more of a NMA linked memory. I have a very fond memory of my last day working at a very large bank based at that most soulless of places (Canary Wharf) listening to TIAGD at ear splitting volumes watching all the miserable looking people scurrying to get to the lifts and thinking "I'm done with this shit". It was a lovely feeling after the worst 10 months of my working life. I should have listened to my wife who sat on the bed on my first day while I was getting ready and said "you don't have to do this" but the experience made me get out of that industry for good, hopefully.

Every gig has been a truly uplifting experience. Southend was special, being able to see the band in a local venue and so close was fantastic - like a dream come true. Looking forward to the Forum now.

[Master Ray]

OK - this is more of a NMA linked memory. I have a very fond memory of my last day working at a very large bank based at that most soulless of places (Canary Wharf) listening to TIAGD at ear splitting volumes watching all the miserable looking people scurrying to get to the lifts and thinking "I'm done with this shit". It was a lovely feeling after the worst 10 months of my working life. I should have listened to my wife who sat on the bed on my first day while I was getting ready and said "you don't have to do this" but the experience made me get out of that industry for good, hopefully.

Every gig has been a truly uplifting experience. Southend was special, being able to see the band in a local venue and so close was fantastic - like a dream come true. Looking forward to the Forum now.

Great story, sir!  I also have had those moments when great music was pounding in your ears and you have a personal epiphany about something or other!

Please post often!

[Captain Swing]

The Orange Room in Canterbury, best gig of my life! Was 100 ticket venue, like having Justin play in my front room, awesome and mostly acoustic, fantastic!!

[Amandistan]

Getting to know a few fans really well and travelling with them. Also having them be really understanding of my flaws and correcting me when it was needed. Also putting up with the fact that i have no filter between my brain and mouth. That's really rare to find anywhere therefore makes the best memories.

Plus in Augsburg, there was a bonfire. It was amazing. Basically all of Greece, the good and the bad shit. Even being robbed of all my money is a pleasant memory now. Next time,I must get stoned as i just recently discovered how much i love weed. 

[claireinblack]

The Orange Room in Canterbury, best gig of my life! Was 100 ticket venue, like having Justin play in my front room, awesome and mostly acoustic, fantastic!!

That was my very first NMA / JS experience!
And I totally agree it was wonderful

[Rusco]

I think it was maybe the first two times I saw actually Sullivan as a solo with Dean White. That was years before I saw any of the NMA's gigs, 14 years ago, although I've been a NMA since -90 when I heard them first.

I was singing along at front of Justin with tears in my eyes.

[gazomg]

I saw Justin play in a small bar called the lobby in cork city , saw nma in the half moon club in cork, saw them in limerick as well, but the one in templebar in dublin in the early 90s to a packed out venue was probably my favorite mainly due to it being my first time seeing them

[Pol]

Got to give Nottingham last year (13/12/14) a massive mention My first nma away trip for a long time. A totally amazing gig and got to meet some brilliant people along the way. Already looking forward to this year Xmas gig hopefully and maybe at least one or two gigs before then.

[Anna Woman von NRW]

I'm old and have a crap memory but out of the haze I think it's this...........

Oxford, April last year:

Down the front, edge of the pit doing my usual away with the faeries "dancing" , I noticed a Mum there with her daughter (I think) and son/daughters boyfriend, by halfway through the gig that young lady was as lost in the moment as any of us long term fans. By the end she was as sweaty and knackered as we were - and that gig was HOT (seem to recall someone had decided not to have the air con on..........  ).

Seeing a new generation of fans "getting" it like a sad old middle aged crone like me does was just brilliant. Long may that continue to be the case 

You don't meet a fellow NMA fan every day of the week and when you do it really doesn't matter if they've liked the band for 35 years or 5 minutes.

"We are old, we are young, we are in this together"

Anna
 

p.s. It's never too young to start brainwashing your kids 

p.p.s Nottingham December 14 - Best gig EVER xxxx

[mvanw]

Thinking back makes me feel old  but just because there are so many memories to choose from.
NMA live is always a memorable event, but what I hold most dear were the 'Big guitars in little Europe' shows, Justin did back in the days with mr Blomberg in Rotterdam (de Vlerk) and Leidschendam (de Sater).
The closeness and intimate atmosphere of those stand out, especially the one in Leidschendam (as mentioned on the album), where they came out from the back, straight through the crowd looking like a couple of street musicians  , and tape recorders laying everywhere around the stage.

[Nacho]

Really is not possible for me to choose the best memory in more than 20 years following. So many good times, so many fantastic people... incredible gigs... and much beer does not easily remember them all 
But of course the first time I listened them. I was very young and I was in a gothic disco here, and suddenly Dj played G&G. I went to ask him for that band and he showed the cassette of T&C. Next day i went to the shop...and from then until now.

[Anna Woman von NRW]

and much beer does not easily remember them all 

Doesn't help does it  ;

[Keine Feier ohne Meier]

Düsseldorf, August 2001, the JS&F tour. My very best friend died in an accident three weeks ago, and that concert gave me really power. Thanks Justin!