The band took their name from an episode of The Goon Show. The band were noted for an extremely unusual two bass player line up. Bass player Alex Griffin played melody lines high up on one bass, and Mat cheslin played the regular basslines on the other. This gave the band a tense and highly driven sub-hardcore sound with distorted indie guitars and complicated Baggy drum beats. The band were also noted for their extremely young ages. The band formed while at sixth form college, and recorded their first album while still teenagers. This led to a strong teenage fanbase with a reputation for enjoying stage diving and moshing at their gigs. The band were also noted (and sometimes ridiculed) for their early image which consisted of uniformly crimped hair, short trousers and t shirts. The Neds (as their fans referred to them) were well known for their T shirts and produced over 80 different designs within three years.
The band quickly gathered a strong fanbase after being noticed by local superstars The Wonder Stuff and offered a support slot on a UK tour. A top 50 hit Kill Your Television followed. They recorded their debut album God Fodder shortly afterwards and had top ten hits with "Until You Find Out" and "Happy" in 1991. Several years of hard working touring followed, playing with, amongst others Mega City Four, Senseless Things and Jesus Jones. During this period they recorded their second album Are You Normal in 1992, which was promoted by the singles Not Sleeping Around and Intact.
The band spent the next few years on a worldwide tour before recording their final album Brainbloodvolume. The album had a more adult sound than before (because they were, after all, no longer teenagers), together with a more diverse sound including samplers and keyboards. Their record label released the album in America before the UK, so most fans bought in on import leading to a poor UK chart position when it was eventually released leading to tensions within the band and with the label. The poor chart showing may have also been to do with a changed music scene now fully in the swing of Britpop. The band had one last UK top 40 single with All I Ask of Myself Is That I Hold Together in 1995 following an appearance on The Word. The band split in 1995. Singer Jonn Penney formed a new band, Groundswell who had little success.
The band reformed with a different line up in 2000, for a show in Dudley. The show was a success and the band have done a christmas show every year since then, including a four date tour in 2004 where the band performed several new songs. In 2005 they again played a few late-December gigs, and in June of 2006 their first new single in 11 years, "Hibernation" was released reaching No 23 in the UK Indie Chart. The "NedFest" weekend gigs to coincide with this at Birmingingham Barfly and London Forum were filmed for a DVD "Neds Dont Exist".
In June 2007 the DVD was released and Neds returned to headline the Glastonbury Left Field Stage on the Friday night of the festival following some low key warm up gigs.
On 12 May 2008 the band announced that the original line-up of Jonn, Rat, Mat, Alex, and Dan would be performing live together for the first time since 1995 on 6 December 2008 at the Astoria London.
Capital Letters
Ned's Atomic Dustbin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Only I know that it's got to stop
But I can't keep my anger up
Change it, it's your job,
Change it, it's your job'
Now I'm stuck
She'll break some hearts
When she grows up
She'll break some hearts
When she owns up
Mine is one
When she looks at me
In that tone of voice
She don't need to make a noise
I can read her thoughts
In capital letters
I've lost her since I've met her
The lyrics of "Capital Letters" by Ned's Atomic Dustbin describe a one-sided and emotionally charged relationship between two people. The singer (most likely a male) admits to being dependent on the other person, but also knows that the relationship must come to an end. While he struggles to maintain his anger toward the situation and break free from it, he foreshadows a future in which the other person will become strong and capable of breaking even more hearts. The singer reveals that this person has already broken his heart, and that she has the power to communicate with him silently, through her body language.
The overall meaning of the song is centered around a toxic and unbalanced relationship, where the singer is emotionally dependent on someone he knows he needs to let go of, but can't find the strength to do so. The lyrics further suggest that the other person is manipulative, and able to control the singer's emotions even without speaking.
Overall, "Capital Letters" is a bleak and emotional song that highlights the complexities of human relationships, and the pain that often comes with trying to free oneself from someone you love but cannot be with.
Line by Line Meaning
We both know I need this too much
It is acknowledged between both of us that I have an excessive need for something
Only I know that it's got to stop
I am aware that this habit of mine needs to be put to an end
But I can't keep my anger up
Despite knowing that I should stop, I am finding it difficult to contain my anger
Change it, it's your job,
It is up to the other person to bring about a change in this situation
Change it, it's your job'
Emphasizing again that the responsibility of changing things lies with the other person
Now I'm stuck
I am now trapped in this situation
I'm stuck
Reiterating the fact that I am stuck
She'll break some hearts
She will cause heartbreak to some people in future
When she grows up
This heartbreak-causing behavior will manifest when she becomes an adult
She'll break some hearts
Reiterating the fact that she will break some hearts
When she owns up
This heartbreak-causing behavior will happen when she accepts responsibility
Mine is one
Confirming that my heart is one of those that will be broken
When she looks at me
Heartbreak will occur when she directs her gaze at me
In that tone of voice
Even if she doesn't say a word, her tone will convey the message
She don't need to make a noise
No sound is necessary to communicate her thoughts and feelings
I can read her thoughts
I am able to discern her thoughts
In capital letters
Her thoughts are clear to me and easily noticeable
I've lost her since I've met her
I have already lost her even though I have only just met her
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ALEXANDER THOMAS GRIFFIN, DANIEL CHARLES WORTON, GARETH JOHN PRING, JOHNATHAN PENNEY, MATTHEW RICHARD CHESLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Isaac Thompson
I can't believe this doesn't have more likes than it does. In the early 90's, I would put this cassette in, put my headphones on and sink into this album. Loving Ned Always!
Andrew Peterson
I was 21 the year this came out. Fantastic memories associated with this album. As a musical work it's criminally underrated, as well.
Alan Johnston
This is and always will be a masterpiece
Louise Para
These guys were so underrated , they're awesome
rob's garage
Louise Para i agree. the sound is awesome. the music is still in text today. it crosses all age barriers...
Greg Flanagan
Mine is one...
Paul Owen
This is one of my favorite Ned's songs....great lyrics...these guys were definitely under appreciated
Luciejohnstonxx
Magnificent absolute masterpiece
Chad
Where ever you are Mr. Spafford (Wolf) I owe knowing this band to you my friend! Just drove to Florida with my 14 year old daughter last month (from Chicago) and was getting sleepy at the wheel. I put this in and was instantly rejuvenated and good to go for another 7 hours. My daughter has been having to hear this since she can remember so she knows all the songs too. Good stuff. Saw these guys in concert 3 times during my college years and would love to see them again. I walked out of the concert with a ripped shirt and only one shoe. Still haven't found my other Chuck Taylor! Such an underrated band....... Love these guys. When she looks at me in that tone of voice.........
Dougie208
Neds are 90's legends!