the Neos were true pioneers of hardcore, critically acclaimed as one of the very first of their kind. In attempt at being the "world's fastest band", the teen trio formed in 1979 in the sleepy suburbs of Victoria, BC on Vancouver Island; their name came from characters in a Woody Allen film. Although they gigged infrequently, they still managed to play with the likes of the Subhumans, Black Flag, and Dead Kennedys (who made a fan out of Jello)...likewise they were regularly corresponding with members of Deep Wound, Ohlo Seco, Terveet Kadet, and many more veterans of the genre. A little known tid-bit is that Nomeansno's debut live show and first tour was infact opening up for the headlining Neos. They self-released two 7" EP's in 1982 on the pseudo-label Alandhiscar; "End All Discrimination" (11 songs - rec. '81, 500 copies) and the "Hassibah Gets The Martian Brain Squeeze" (14 songs - rec. '82, 500 copies). Ratcage records out of NYC repressed the second EP in 1983 thru Southern UK, subsequently pressing 3000+ copies, and essentially cheating the band out of their royalties. They managed to tour the west-coast of N.A. making it all the way to San Francisco, however personality differences led them to break-up at the end of 1983.
Steve and Kev continued on for another year as Harvest of Seaweed (a "recording group" only), releasing a cassette in 60 & 90 minute versions, as well as guest starring on the Jerk Ward "Flesh & Bones" demo (now issued on vinyl). Summer of '84, Kev formed Sludge Confrontations with Jon of Jerk Ward, releasing some demos between '84-'86, and later a posthumous discography CD. Since 1991, Kev has played in Mexican Power Authority, whereas Steve was a founding member of the Showbiz Giants and presently has a punk rock studio-project known as the Modest Gods.
Despite being fairly obscure, the Neos still remain very influential, even having their songs covered by Charles Bronson, Coconut Bulldozer, Spazz, Hated Principles, Mexican Power Authority, and NOFX. They're noted as a major influence for such pioneering groups as: Deep Wound, Hirax, DRI, Napalm Death, and many more. In 1995, a posthumous 7" EP titled "Fight With Donald" was issued by Break Even Records featuring the unreleased song 'Sleeve'. In 1997 a CD of the first two EP's plus 'Sleeve' was issued by Break Even. All Neos material is presently out of print.
Supreme Echo Records from Victoria are proud to reveal the discovery of Neos videos, and the original "Hassibah..." stereo-master tape!
Full discography LP coming soon, including: remastered EP's, unreleased '82 demos, Hassibah outtakes, lost '82-83 rehearsal trax, live soundboard '82, unheard melodic '83 trax for never realised LP, and their MRR radio interview!
PLEASE DO NOT SUPPORT NEOS "FAN-CLUB" BOOTLEGS!!!
Upcoming legitimate Neos material:
*Neos "Fight With Donald" 7" EP re-press is in the works.
*Neos 'discography' LP (1981-83 ) is coming soon.
Available now:
All Your Ears Can Hear: Underground Music in Victoria BC, 1978-1984 is a professionally printed 80 page soft-cover book packaged with 2 CD’s containing 79 songs by 46 bands (over two and a half hours of music) including the Neos and their related groups: Fake Dogs, Nematodes, Harvest of Seaweed, Jerk Ward and Sludge Confrontations. The first press was limited to 1000 copies. 2nd press of 500 now available!
www.myspace.com/allyourearscanhear
Jerk Ward "Too Young To Thrash" 17 song 12" Maxi-LP (1982-84) is a 17 song, teenage adrenalin overdose of blazing hardcore thrash with guest appearances by the Neos! Hand numbered first pressing of only 300! Contact: www.myspace.com/supremeecho www.myspace.com/jerkward
Hey thanks for the words. I am stoked that a legit disco is coming out, is that being released by a Canadian label or what? I just wanted to know. How can I get this other record you speak of, sounds good my friend has one I know that
will be great to finally see those unreleased demo & rehearsal recordings they gave to bob d. finally getting heard by the ravenous public! take care and well wishes! cheers and beers! ~katz flipside~
They changed my perpective on music forever. After Hearing the Neos, in particular the song "Conscripts" Over 20 years ago. Music has never sounded the same since. Long live thrash, and long live the sound of the Neos.
way back in the tunnel of time when i was a snotty greenhorn punk kid and i got a copy of the first NEOS 7inch in my claws, i put it calmly on my records player --- and man, it was spinning so fast it spiralled out of control taking me with it in a twister. yeah, back then punk was still a dangerous and a real threat.
great page --- fanx for the add.
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