New Model Army

THANK YOU NELSON

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We are very sad to announce that, for family and personal reasons, Nelson is leaving us after twenty-two years and countless wonderful performances. We'd like to thank him for his great contribution to the band for so long and we will miss his easy-going personality and great musical skill.

This announcement has nothing to with the recent fire or any other circumstance within the band and is entirely amicable. The other band-members have known about Nel's intentions for some time but collectively had decided to keep it quiet until now.

Nelson joined the band in early 1990 after the upheavals that followed the Thunder and Consolation tour and brought us a measure of stability at a time when the band was on the brink of splitting up for good. He has played on nine studio albums (including the two B-sides compilations) and done over a thousand gigs with total commitment to his craft. We appreciate that family issues have now made it hard for him to be far from his Colchester home for long periods and wish him all the best for the future.

Nelson writes

"Before joining New Model Army I never thought bass playing was very exciting: I changed my mind after the first rehearsal and I knew NMA was the band for me. It's been a pleasure playing and working with the various band line-ups, road crews, managers, producers and studio techs over the last 22 years. My sincere thanks to all of you. I'm glad to have had the opportunity to be part of something really special and I know I'm gonna miss it so much.
Aside from the music, I've met lots of wonderful people in places I never thought I'd ever visit, making many friends along the way.
I know Justin and the band will continue to make beautiful and powerful music and all the fans, old and new, will love it. I'm sorry that I can't be a part of that anymore.
I'm sad to leave but it's gotta be done."

FIRE DESTROYS NMA STUDIO

UPDATE: 20 January 2012 As many of you will now know, on Christmas Eve our studio/rehearsal room was destroyed by a fire which began in the furniture outlet next door.