Neo (album)
Encyclopedia
Neo is a 1979 music album by the American punk musician Ian North
and his first solo album. It was recorded in 1978 in Ian Gillan
's studio and released in 1979 by Aura Records. Although the album was released as a solo work of Ian North, he recorded it with three session musicians: Steve Byrd
on guitar, John McCoy
on drums and Bryson Graham
on drums and they later formed Neo
, as a "semi-band", because they were paid by North. Many songs were written by North while the band comprised him and the brothers Robin
and Paul Simon. This line-up, the band's first played a gig during 1977. In early 1978, Robin Simon left to join Ultravox
and, shortly afterwards, his brother Paul was sacked by North and joined Cowboys International
.
North said in a 2007 interview that while the album was being recorded, ex-Deep Purple
member Ian Gillan was watching Neo, and after the recording was finished, Byrd, McCoy and Graham left North, because Gillan invited to them to join his fledgling band Gillan
. Shortly afterwards, North renewed Neo with true band members until 1978 when North returned to the USA.
It was not released on CD.
Ian North
Ian North is an American musician, producer and painter known for being part of the bohemian punk movement in United States with his power pop band Milk 'N' Cookies. A self-taught artist, he was also interested in painting....
and his first solo album. It was recorded in 1978 in Ian Gillan
Ian Gillan
Ian Gillan is an English rock music vocalist and songwriter, best known as the lead singer and lyricist for Deep Purple. During his career Gillan also fronted his own band, had a year-long stint as the vocalist for Black Sabbath, and sang the role of Jesus in the original recording of Andrew Lloyd...
's studio and released in 1979 by Aura Records. Although the album was released as a solo work of Ian North, he recorded it with three session musicians: Steve Byrd
Steve Byrd
Stephen John Byrd is a British guitarist and session musician who has worked with artists including Kim Wilde, Ian Gillan, ZZebra and many others....
on guitar, John McCoy
John McCoy
John McCoy may refer to:*John McCoy , British bass guitarist*John McCoy , Irish Progressive Democrats politician 1987-1989*John B. McCoy, CEO Banc One Corporation*John Calvin McCoy, founder of Kansas City, Missouri...
on drums and Bryson Graham
Bryson Graham
Bryson Graham was a rock drummer, most notable as a member of Spooky Tooth, Girl and as a session musician.- History :Bryson Graham commenced his professional recording career, at the age of seventeen as a member of Mainhorse Airplane, with David Kubinec . He was later with Mainhorse with...
on drums and they later formed Neo
Neo (UK band)
Neo was an early New Wave band which was part of the Engish musical scene originated by punk in the 1970s. The group was formed by the American-born singer Ian North, who was the frontman and the only continuous member from the band formation in 1977 to the end in 1979.-Early days: Radio:In 1976,...
, as a "semi-band", because they were paid by North. Many songs were written by North while the band comprised him and the brothers Robin
Robin Simon
For the art historian and critic Robin Simon, editor of , see Robin JH SimonRobin Simon For the art historian and critic Robin Simon, editor of , see Robin JH SimonRobin Simon For the art historian and critic Robin Simon, editor of , see Robin JH SimonRobin Simon (born Robert Simon 12 July 1956,...
and Paul Simon. This line-up, the band's first played a gig during 1977. In early 1978, Robin Simon left to join Ultravox
Ultravox
Ultravox is a British New Wave rock band. They were one of the primary exponents of the British electronic pop music movement of the late 1970s/early 1980s. The band was particularly associated with the New Romantic and New Wave movements....
and, shortly afterwards, his brother Paul was sacked by North and joined Cowboys International
Cowboys International
Cowboys International were a New Wave and synthpop band formed by vocalist and songwriter Ken Lockie that put out one album in 1979, the influential The Original Sin, and a handful of 45s before dissolving in 1980...
.
North said in a 2007 interview that while the album was being recorded, ex-Deep Purple
Deep Purple
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...
member Ian Gillan was watching Neo, and after the recording was finished, Byrd, McCoy and Graham left North, because Gillan invited to them to join his fledgling band Gillan
Gillan
Gillan was a rock band formed in 1978 by Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan.-History:In 1978 Ian Gillan had become dissatisfied with the jazz fusion style of his band called the Ian Gillan Band and dissolved it, retaining only keyboard player Colin Towns, and formed a new band entitled Gillan...
. Shortly afterwards, North renewed Neo with true band members until 1978 when North returned to the USA.
It was not released on CD.
A-Side
- "If You Gotta Go"
- "She Kills Me"
- "Don't Dance"
- "Heart"
- "Tran-Sister"
- "Heaven On Earth"
- "The Robots"
Personnel
- Ian NorthIan NorthIan North is an American musician, producer and painter known for being part of the bohemian punk movement in United States with his power pop band Milk 'N' Cookies. A self-taught artist, he was also interested in painting....
: vocals - Steve ByrdSteve ByrdStephen John Byrd is a British guitarist and session musician who has worked with artists including Kim Wilde, Ian Gillan, ZZebra and many others....
: guitar - John McCoyJohn McCoy (musician)John McCoy is a British bass guitarist who is best known for his work with Ian Gillan and Mammoth as well as numerous other bands and sessions since the late 1960s. He currently plays in British rock trio Guy McCoy Torme with former Gillan/Ozzy guitarist Bernie Torme and Bruce Dickinson/Sack Trick...
: bass guitar - Bryson GrahamBryson GrahamBryson Graham was a rock drummer, most notable as a member of Spooky Tooth, Girl and as a session musician.- History :Bryson Graham commenced his professional recording career, at the age of seventeen as a member of Mainhorse Airplane, with David Kubinec . He was later with Mainhorse with...
: drums