Neu Smell
Neu Smell is the debut 7" EP by British anarcho-punk band Flux of Pink Indians, released in 1981 on Crass Records. It is notable for the inclusion of the song "Tube Disaster".
"Tube Disaster" was originally recorded by some members' former band The Epileptics, with lyrics inspired by the 1975 Moorgate tube crash. Drummer Sid Truelove joined the band whilst also a member of Rubella Ballet and explained the origins of "Sick Butchers" and "Background of Malfunction" to The Quietus:
The original release reached number 2 in the UK Independent Charts.
In 2024 Neu Smell was repressed as 12" single by One Little Indian as part of the "2 By 2 And Back Again" series.
Track listing
Pig-Side
- "Neu Smell"
- "Tube Disaster"
- "Poem"
Bacon-Side
- "Sick Butchers"
- "Background of Malfunction"
Personnel
- Colsk Latter – vocals
- Derek Birkett – bass
- Andy Smith – guitar
- Neil Puncher – guitar
- Sid Attion – drums
- Eugene Crowley – synthesizer on "Poem"
- Penny Rimbaud – producer
- John Loder – engineer
Packaging
The EP was issued in a six-panel foldout sleeve featuring band photos, lyrics, credits, and artwork. The vinyl includes matrix etchings:- Side A: ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL
- Side B: ''BUT SOME ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS''
Legacy
Louder Than War noted:At the age of 18, Napalm Death vocalist Lee Dorrian became a vegetarian after hearing the EP.
In 2003 the U.K. Subs recorded a cover version of "Tube Disasters" for the Angry Songs & Bitter Words compilation album, which was a benefit for the Rape Crisis charity.
In 2009, rap artist Professor Green sampled the bassline from "Tube Disaster" for his single "Hard Night Out".
In 2023 "Tube Disasters" was included on the compilation album Cease & Resist - Sonic Subversion & Anarcho Punk In The UK 1979-1986 released on the Optimo label.
In a primer on Anarcho Punk in The Wire magazine, Louis Pattison stated that: