Newspeak: Eddie, Illusion and Apocalypse

The Many Faces of Eddie

The band that is now known as Newspeak has been around in a number of guises since early 1996. Julian Shaw had been in a number of Sheffield bands in the years before including Sanctum and The Fortune Cookies (with Carl Davies - now of Super Van City), but in the early months of 1996 he wanted to try something new. Bad Apple was formed with guitarist Tom Damms, bass player Steve Bembridge (ex-Fortune Cookies) and Tim Hallam Hallam-Jones (ex-Sanctum). At the bands one and only gig at the Tut 'N' Shive was Rob Bates a keen songwriter and musician. Shortly afterwards Rob joined the band on keyboards and has remained an active writing partner with Julian up to the present day. The band line-up expanded and changed. Lead vocals were given up by Julian (who remained on guitar) and Tony Clarke took over. Drums went to Phil Turner. The Many Faces of Eddie was born. In early 1997 Steve Bembridge left to persue a jazz career. Andy Whitham then took over on bass. In the Summer of 1997 major changes occured Phil, Tony and Andy left. The Many Faces of Eddie were effectively dead: a new chapter awaited the intrepid adventurers.

Fiction

At the same time as The Many Faces of Eddie were strutting their riffs on the student band scene another band were getting noticed for it's wild stage antics and intelligent original songwriting. Fiction had been around for a number of years when due to circumstances with courses the band was forced into early retirement. Out of the ashes of Fiction Owen Smith, guitarist and songwriter went on to form Digit. The bands drummer Rob Andrew and the manager Dan Woodcock were soon to feature in the Newspeak story.

The Birth Of Newspeak

Soon after the forced changes in the band took place Julian swapped in the guitar for the bass. Rob Bates then took on a dual role of guitar and keyboards. Rob Andrew joined the line up after answering an advert in a music shop window. After doing two more gigs under the Many Faces of Eddie guise (with Julian singing) the band changed it's name to Newspeak, an idea of Rob Bates that came from George Orwell's book 1984. In late 1997, still searching for a full time lead vocalist, the band went through an impressive number of people but none worked out. The formula was complex and many did not have what it took to be the final ingrediant of George's Marvelous Medicine. Then in March 1998 Julian recieved a phone call. The voice was deep, bellowing and alcohol inspired. Dan Woodcock was into the same bands that inspired members of Newspeak: Floyd, Crowdies and Radiohead. It soon also became apparent that Dan already knew Rob (from the Fiction days) and pretty soon Dan became a permanent fixture in the chambre de Newspeak. The first official Newspeak gig followed in March at Under the Boardwalk. In April "Illusion Perception and the Mind" the bands first EP was recorded.

Rebirth

The band continued to gig frequently throughout 1998, slowly building up a following.At the same time the strength of it's original material was going from strength to strength.The band took a break over the summer when Julian finished his studies and went to Australia. In October the band started gigging again with new material. Then in November the band parted company with long-time guitarist Tom. The job was filled by Nick Wright a student and passionate musician. Finally the band had the ability, the songs and the drive to succeed. Once the new line up had settled the band started work on their second EP. Recorded in December 1998 and mixed in January 1999 "Vertigo" is the bands most recent recording and shows the band on the verge of achieving their musical goals.

The Heyday

Throughout early 1999 Newspeak played extensively around Sheffield. The first half of the year saw Newspeak busier than ever. In May 1999 the band played at The Cavern in Liverpool and on Halloween to a "ghost pub" in Boston. Things became quieter towards the end of the year as Dan moved to Alfreton for a spell and Julian started "real work". In August the band started recording their third EP. By Christmas it was scrapped and recording had begun again - The Apocalypse had started. The beggining of the new millenium was quiet for the band. After a couple of gigs and slow progress with the EP events conspired and the end came quick.

Is Apocalypse the End? Find out here.