What is your best New Model Army memory?

[Impuri-D]

1. Astoria on the 'Eight' Tour, Justin taking requests while the rest of the band had a break, someone shouts 'Vagabonds' and he looks around, laughs, and replies 'Do I look like I've got a bloody violin!?' , but then orchestrates us all into a chant of the violin phrase, and proceeds to do an an incredible acoustic Vagabonds with everyone on backing vocals.


Too cool for school 

[Ragamuffin]

i have two: fist time i saw then in leeds on the impurity tour and the 20th birthday bash at rock city. The rock city gig was so good because i think the band and crowd were just there to party!

[Kalvis_LV]

Well... for the first time I drove in the car with Justin, and asked him questions I never asked before,,,. about life, about resistance...

[WisconsinTodd]

ok, I went to some record collector show in 1990 and was looking for live concert tapes of Midnight Oil. A vendor told me I needed to buy a live tape of NMA (the Rock City FM broadbast gig from 89) and he'd refund my money if I didn't like it. I was so blown away that I started collecting every CD, poster, tape I could find. Pre-internet this was pretty tough in the states, and due to this I missed the 1993 tour leaving me QUITE A DRY SPELL! Anyway when Justin and Dean returned to the states for the 2 man format show in 2003 I was there with a college roommate that I converted to a huge fan. My memory is standing like 2 rows from the stage right in front of Justin eye closed and goosebumps all over my arms. It was 13 years leading up to the concert of listening to NMA constantly collecting all sorts of recordings, memorizing lyrics, and just being a fan of the way the band evolves and sticks to their guns. I honestly felt like a little kid again on Christmas morning, I cannot imagine what my EKG would have registered, I wish there was a pill you could buy that could give you that feeling at any time, I'd be a junkie for sure.

Thanks for 30 years of greatness and as always I cannot wait to hear what's next!

Todd in Wisconsin, USA

[subkingdominlondon]

Mine must be around early 1990's, I was not even 20 by then and still living in Paris. The gig was at the Arapaho (I think, if memory serves!) and it was tiny! It felt like we were privy to a very good rehearsal session! The room was so packed and I was at the front being squashed so I kinda climbed on stage and semi-sat on Nelson's wedge, the band being the cool peeps they are didn't mind and left me there in awe for most of the gig!
Later, outside, despite my rubbish english and my youth making me shy, I managed to get Nelson's pick (I was a bass player and NMA taught me how to play!), my drummer at the time got a broken cymbal left on the street. Then, we got photocopies of the lyrics signed and I framed the whole lot later.
I was a still a kid and this made my day like nothing else can make your day at this point in your life.
I have many more like all of you guys I suppose as NMA is a band that lives with you and really create a soundtrack to one's life.

[Antwoord of the Peddler]

Astoria 2008. Myself and the prettier half (Vicki) had flown down from Edinburgh specifically to see them at the Astoria before it disappeared, much penny-pinching and pleading to kind parents just about making it feasible. We were so excited, a couple of Jocks on a crazy adventure to see the mighty army in London! But the bouncer decided that Vic was too drunk to let in. We'd had 2 pints each and were most certainly in no way drunk. Disaster! I explained our story, he suggested we went away and came back. We went, drank coffee, walked about, went back, even more sober. Same bouncer, same reaction! Jesus. Anyway this happened a 3rd time, but thanks be to whoever I should thank, 4th time round we were allowed in just as the band came on stage. That moment, relief, excitement, anticipation all bundled up and intense, will live with me forever.

[ashpretani]

hell I can't pick one

scamps 1980
clouds in preston 1984
rock city 2000


well all of em really....never had a duff gig ......just different ones

[Lohr]

The 2004 show in Phoenix, AZ will always remain a very fond memory for me. It was their first time in Phoenix in 10 years and more importantly, the first time I ever got to see them. "Them", in this case, was just Justin and Dean, but it didn't matter. Or maybe it made it even better. It was a chance to catch a unique version of the band that I hadn't heard before. The versions of "All Of This" and "Ocean Rising" still stick out in my mind, though (at that time, at least) neither was a particular favourite of mine.

I had started to become a fan a decade earlier, but had missed them on that last U.S. tour. Now, after all this time, they were firmly entrenched as one of my most beloved bands, but I didn't really think I'd ever get to see them live. For them to come to this crappy little club in Phoenix, put on an intense and energetic two-man show, and then be completely humble and gracious with all the fans after the show made quite an impression. It was also well worth the wait.

[mbass]

Electric Ballroom, Dec 1984, simply blown away. I went to Brockwell Park but was too pished to remember NMA playing

[rick a.]

NMA played a small club in Cambridge a few years ago and I was lucky enough to have a lengthy chat with Justin on the sidewalk after the show. Only because the club had no dressing room!
I also hung out at the merchandise table with Tommy the last 2 times they were here. He was so nice and I think he appreciated the company. I was stunned to learn of his too early death. At the gig we were trading stories about how much fun it was to take our kids to rock shows.

[finalfire]

Many but was probably my first gig at Brixton June 1990, age 16, vaguely remembering poison street before fainting, waking up while nosing my way down some lady's bossom!!! If you are reading, it was an accident honest!!!  Brilliant times....

[Spudthemariner]

The Union Chapel, just after the 'Freeborn John' gig. Everyone is invited to the backstage bar where there will be a post performance party.
Rev, 'the band', Maddy Prior, Phil Johnstone, various levellers and others are all there drinking with the audience.
However, if you wish to smoke, you need to go out to a cold back alley.
Everyone is chatting about the gig (absolutely cracking) when JS comes out. The chat subsides as he reaches for his fags and utters the immortal phrase..........'anyone got a light'?
At which point, about a dozen burly tattooed blokes, start franticly searching their pockets in a star struck frenzy, each wanting desperately to be the one that will light his heroes cigarette! Absolutely hilarious.............! Shows that deep down, whatever our job, age, blah blah blah....we're all still a bunch of kids with dreams! To quote the Book of Face.....'I Like'!

Oh, and in case you were wondering. The person who eventually offered up the sacred lighter was my misses (who utterly out cooled the lot of us.....sad eh?  )     

[Sean-nmamanchester]

Would have to be the first time I saw NMA live, Leeds Futurama 5 (Queens Hall I think) in 1983, just loved all the early stuff (and love everything produced ever since), bittersweet, and funnily enough - waiting - might not be an obvious choice , but love the melody in this song. Can remember buying Bittersweet with the free flexi from the underground market in Manchester, happy days! 

[alisonmyth]

Aberdeen Music Hall about 20 years back.  None of my friends or i had heard of the Levellers at that point but they came on stage as support band, danced about like maniacs and got the whole crowd buzzing.  By the time NMA set foot on stage the place was electric and true to form they didn't disappoint.   Unfortunately we all came back down to earth rather abruptly shortly afterwards when one of our friends fell out with he boyfriend, ran off rather tipsy, managed to fall into the harbour and had to be rescued!  What a night..........  Happy ending though, she married that boyfriend and they're still together today.

[Den]

Got lots of memories of gigs (been to lots of gigs!) but I am sure it was 10 years ago when Justin did an acoustic set (was there 2 drummers or is my memory playng games?). I was inside from the start but my mate Roman was late getting in. I saw the first set and he came in as it finished. He was gutted when I told him what he missed! The full set was awesome!
Thunder and Colsolation was simply awesome! Still play it now. I liked it so much, I had the tattoo. Joolz told me where the inscription came from and if I ever go to Scotland, I will be checking it out.