New Model Army search for new Bass player

OFFERING SOMEONE A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN ONE OF THE UK'S HARDEST-WORKING BANDS!

Nelson, New Model Army's bassist of twenty-two years, has announced he is leaving the band for personal and family reasons. The announcement is an entirely amicable agreement between all concerned. 

Singer Justin Sullivan says, "We'd like to thank Nelson for his great contribution to the band for so long and we will miss his easy-going personality and great musical skill".

And 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 and I'm glad to have had the opportunity to be part of something really special. I know I'm gonna miss it so much".

Now the search is on to find New Model Army's next bassist and they are inviting applications from anyone who thinks they can make the grade. 

As the band has become synonymous with having a phenomenal rhythm section for 32 years, the very first requirement will be considerable technical ability. Some professional experience will also be required. Beyond those 2 pre-requisites, all applications will be considered - successful first round applicants will be contacted and invited to submit further information and attend an audition.

All serious applications should be made to info@newmodelarmy.org with the subject 'Bass Player application'. It should include a detailed résumé of all musical experience to date, a photograph, a link to online video clip of a live performance and a written statement to support the application.

New Model Army are currently buying equipment for their newly refurbished studio after it was devasted by fire at Christmas time, and will shortly resume work on their twelth studio album. They have already lined up a number of Summer Festivals including Sonisphere (Bohemia stage Friday headline performance just announced), Beautiful Days and Strummercamp in the UK, and several major events in mainland Europe.

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New Model Army Studio destroyed by fire

On Christmas Eve a fire started in the furniture outlet next to the Mill in Bradford, and directly below New Model Army's studio. Although most of the building, which also houses two floors of Party Space, a screen-printers and several other studios rented by professional outfits including Paradise Lost and previously Chumbawumba. was saved, New Model Army's studio suffered a roof collapse, extensive fire, water and smoke damage and almost complete devastation. (pictures attached and video link).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-VAOTuVD14&feature
Gone are Gretsch and Slingerland vintage drum kits, a Hammond C3 Organ and a whole number of collectable old guitars and amplifiers. Also lost are the two projects that the band are currently working on  demos for their 12th studio album due in 2012 and recently discovered 30 year-old tapes containing early work which was to be added to the Spring re-release of the band's Independent Chart-topping debut album, Vengeance, from 1984.

Social network sites have been buzzing with the story over the Christmas period and New Model Army have been inundated with offers of help and support from other bands and well-wishers from all over the World. But despite their losses, the band remains upbeat.

Singer Justin Sullivan says:
"We have really been amazed by the response and the generosity of the offers of assistance we have received. Of course we are all upset about what has happened especially the loss of irreplaceable musical instruments and three or four months of recording work but we are insured and hope that at least our financial losses will be covered. In the end though, nobody was hurt and what was lost is just material. The band is about People and Spirit and without doubt this has never been stronger. There may perhaps be a bit of a delay in our activities but otherwise everything will continue as before."

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