*In no particular order some of my favourite musical moments. No48 No Rest by New Model Army
Throughout life there are songs that stay with you and remind you of a certain time in your life – even if you don’t necessarily follow the band.
That’s the whole point of Great Moments In Music and it’s certainly true of this brilliant single; No Rest by New Model Army.
Part of the ’80s post-punk scene, NMA were one of several overtly political bands of the time, including Redskins and The Three Johns.
Clearly influenced by the radical egalitarian politics which surfaced around the time of the English revolution, they took their name from Oliver Cromwell’s parliamentarian ‘Roundhead’ army.
Leader Justin Sullivan would assume the alias Slade The Leveller – after a 17th century group which espoused popular sovereignty and equality before the law.
Merging insightful lyrics with aggressive but surprisingly melodic tunes, the trio built a following way beyond their native Bradford and No Rest is the lead cut from their first album for major label EMI.
It’s a testimony to the strength of the song, that it broke the Top 30 in the UK and led to the unlikely spectacle of such an uncompromising and alternative band performing live on Top of the Pops (see below).
What gives the song its real power is the lead guitar line is unusually played on the bass by Stuart Morrow – with the late Robert Heaton, providing thunderous support on the drums.
I must confess I’m not exactly sure what No Rest is about. But the fact it’s backed by a track called Heroin and Sullivan wore a T-shirt on TOTP emblazoned with the message ‘Only Stupid Bastards Use Heroin’ suggests it addresses addiction in provincial towns.
Whatever, it rocks and features a quite wonderful middle eight. The song’s assault on the charts, rather like The Cult‘s She Sells Sanctuary (also released in 1985) – providing a much needed antidote to the soulless sheen of most ’80s pop.
Revolutionary!
*Got a Great Musical Moment you’d like to share? Send me your suggestion via the contact form and if I like it, I’ll feature it and give you a mention. Looking forward to hearing from you.
