Author Archives: Neal
2020
Well 2020 has been a cataclysmic year for us all so far! The entire planet seems to be in lockdown and no-one knows what the outcome will be.
We hope you’re all safe and well wherever you are.
In these troubled times Rock ‘n’ Roll might seem trite and inconsequential – but I firmly believe that music is as important as ever.
It still has the power to comfort, thrill, excite and inspire us like nothing else – and we need all of that to get us through.
We’ll be recording and releasing new music soon – hopefully some of you will find it helps you through….
I’ve been greatly inspired by this passage by the wonderful Indian author Arundhati Roy.
“Whatever it is, Coronavirus has made the mighty kneel and brought the world to a halt like nothing else could. Our minds are still racing back and forth, longing for a return to “normality”, trying to stitch our future to our past and refusing to acknowledge the rupture. But the rupture exists. And in the midst of this terrible despair, it offers us a chance to rethink the doomsday machine we have built for ourselves. Nothing could be worse than a return to normality. Historically, pandemics have forced humans to break with the past and imagine their world anew. This one is no different. It is a portal, a gateway between one world and the next. We can choose to walk through it, dragging the carcasses of our prejudice and hatred, our avarice, our data banks and dead ideas, our dead rivers and smoky skies behind us. Or we can walk through lightly, with little luggage, ready to imagine another world. And ready to fight for it.”
Let’s hope so.
Much love and best wishes to you all
Neal X 2020
Happy Christmas everybody
2018 has been a another busy year full of ups and downs! We’ve lost some dear friends and made some gorgeous new ones.
We’ve played a few concerts with our new line-up featuring Chris Musto on drums, Claire Hirst on sax, the wonderful Emma Goss on Double Bass and Gemma B on trumpet of course.
We hope to finally get out touring clubs in 2019.
We’ve had a computer crisis which wiped out many of this year’s recordings and demos. No matter – we’ll be recording again in the new year.
In the meantime here’s our take on the Billy Fury classic “Wondrous Place”. Hope you enjoy.
Wishing all our friends a very happy Christmas and a peaceful and productive 2019.
Much love
Neal x
The Montecristos – back on-line, revamped and refreshed
It’s been a while but we’re delighted to have our website back up and running.
The Montecristos have been “working hard, rehearsing all the time, writing new numbers…”
We’re thrilled to welcome to the revamped line up former Johnny Thunders drummer extraordinaire – the stick-twirling, swinging Chris Musto – and former Belle Star, Communard and Bowie sax maestra Clare Hirst joins “the brassiest horn section in Rock ‘n’ Roll”.
Expect some pre-Christmas show announcements soon.
Sophie Lo
We were devastated to hear of the sad death of wonderful French Rock ’n’ Roll artist and designer Sophie Lo earlier this year.
Sophie designed all of The Montecristos artwork – album and single covers, gig posters and beautifully distressed our logo and press shots. She was a total joy to work with and bounce ideas off. She’ll be very much missed.
New Video up on YouTube
We’ve finally found the time to edit some of the live footage we’ve been shooting this year.
Here’s the first – “Atlantic Surf” LIVE from Shepherd’s Bush Empire when we opened for Marc Almond on “The Velvet Trail” tour back in May. Expect more soon!
Last few “Love Missile F1-11″ 7” Vinyl singles left
We’re down to the last few copies of our updated, glammed up Montecristos version of the old SSS million seller “Love Missile F1-11″ on 7” RED Vinyl…. It’s a strictly limited edition of 500 copies.
Last chance to grab your signed copy HERE
When they’re gone they’re gone.
Flexipop Book Launch Party – September 25th @ The Red Gallery, London
The “Fabulous” Montecristos get out on the town again!
We’re doing a full 45 minute headlining set at what promises to be the event of the season – the official launch of the quirky and original Flexipop book at The Red Gallery, Shoreditch, London on Friday September 25th.
Tickets are priced at £20 which includes a FREE highly collectable ’80s Flexidisc and copy of Flexipop magazine – and the whole evening is in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust. Get ’em while you can!
<http://flexipop.com/booklaunchparty>
Show cancellation!
Due to circumstances beyond our control the Jazz Café show with Slim Jim Phantom has been moved to the 15th August and The Montecristos are unfortunately unable to appear due to other commitments.
We’re sorry to all those that have bought tickets or made travel plans. Tickets for the original date will be honoured for the rescheduled show. Please go to your point of sale ticket seller for refunds – though a bill with Slim Jim backed by the wonderful Furious playing a Stray Cats set – and former Sex Pistol Glen Matlock on the bill it’s likely to be an unmissable hot rocking evening.
We’re very sorry to miss it
We hope to announce some Autumn shows soon.
Love
Neal X
Webshop Now open!
The Montecristos had a fantastic time on Marc Almond’s – The Velvet Trail Tour. We got a very warm reception and fabulous, positive feedback everywhere. Thanks for that everybody!
Our Webshop is now open for business HERE
You can buy rarities – including a limited number of our RSD 7″ Vinyl “Love Missile F1-11”, our promo only CD Single “Born to Rock ‘n’ Roll”/ “Love Missile F1-11″ and 12” vinyl version of our debut album “Born to Rock ‘n Roll”. Please note – the delivery date for the vinyl album is May 29th so there will be a short delay in posting if you order in advance.
Free delivery on orders over £25!
We’ll be announcing more shows very soon… Meanwhile “Born to Rock ‘n’ Roll” – The title track of The Montecristos debut album is now picking up radio plays around the country. Keep yours ears open! We’re also getting great reviews and features across the media – both on-line and terrestrial press. All very positive!
There’s a wonderful feature on Sigue Sigue Sputnik in June’s edition of Mojo Magazine featuring interviews with Tony James and Neal X and some fabulous ’80s photos.
Keep the faith!
The Montecristos on The Velvet Trail
Following hot on the stiletto heels of their triumphant, sold-out “Rock ‘n’ Roll Circus” at Wilton’s Music Hall in March, The “fabulous” Montecristos have now been added to a few select dates of the upcoming Marc Almond – The Velvet Trail Tour.
The Montecristos guitar-slinger singer Neal X is also continuing to add guitar to the stripped down electro-burlesque cabaret of the shape shifting changeling Marc Almond. “I’ve been working with Marc for over 20 years now” says Neal. “The Velvet Trail is his best and most exciting album in that time and this tour should be amazing. I’m really thrilled Marc has invited The Montecristos to warm up his audience for him.”
The Montecristos will be appearing at
Brighton Dome – April 21st,
Manchester Bridgewater Hall – April 25th,
Basingstoke Anvil – April 30th
London Shepherd’s Bush Empire – May 1st.
Tickets available from gigsandtours | ticketmaster.co.uk | 0844 811 0051 | 0844 826 2826
And if that’s not all, The Montecristos release a revved-up, stomping, glam-tastic version of Sigue Sigue Sputnik’s legendary single “Love Missile F1-11” with “Badfinger Twang” on the b-side as a limited edition 7″ single on red vinyl for Record Store Day – April 18th 2015.
There will only be 500 copies available and only from good record shops on April 18th.
And if THAT’S not all – Message us from our Contact page to receive a FREE download of an all-new, improved “Radio” version of the title track of our album
“Born to Rock ‘n’ Roll”
“Born to Rock ‘n’ Roll” on Worldwide Release
We’re thrilled to announce our debut album “Born to Rock ‘n’ Roll” has now been released WORLDWIDE and is available from all good record shops on CD, and digitally on iTunes, Amazon Digital, Virgin Media Digital and Spotify.
We hope to have our web shop open for business soon but in the meantime you can buy the CD version direct from the Easy Action website.
We had a wonderful time at the “Rock ‘n’ Roll Circus at the amazing Wilton’s Music Hall last week. Many thanks to all those that made it down to the sold out show. We are touched by the warm words and rave reviews the entire evening has been getting.
Our circus acts – the brilliant magician Kate Rhodes who also co-ordinated the circus, Mr Clingfilm, the amazing touch juggler and the close up card trick artists have all been singled out for praise.
We’d like to especially thank all our special guests – our dancers Lara and David on “Badfinger Twang” , Christine Nachbaur Balzano singing on “Good Lovin'”, the wonderful Marc Almond who totally ripped up “Brand New Cadillac”, Neal’s 10 year old daughter Natasha debuting on Alto Sax on “Pussywhipper” and the Electric Samurai himself Mr Hotei Tomoyasu on “C’Mon Everybody” and an incandescent “Great Balls of Fire”.
It was a very special reunion – Neal and Hotei last played “C’mon Everybody” on stage together at Fuji Q Highland back in 1990 – 25 years ago!
We recorded and filmed the entire performance for a future release and hope to upload a special clip on YouTube soon.