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.
Intact
Ned's Atomic Dustbin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know that you didn't mean anything, well
I'm trying to make something from nothing
You're wasting your breath on these ears
My dear
You're wasting your breath on these ears
You will kill me someday
I will have to be okay
You'll fry the contents of my head
Pretend and bend the words I said
And kill me someday, stone dead
I can't help but wish that I was virgo
Intact, oh I woudln't care
'Cause I just wouldn't know
So don't say in this that you're on your own
You founded the worst of these fears
My dear
You founded the worst of these fears
You will kill me someday
If you have to cash me in
I will have to be okay
You'll fry the contents of my head
Pretend and bend the words I said
And kill me someday, stone dead
You will kill me someday
If you have to cash me in
I will have to be okay
You'll fry the contents of my head
Pretend and bend the words I said
And kill me someday, stone dead
You will kill me someday, stone dead
The song "Intact" by Ned's Atomic Dustbin seems to be about feeling like a victim of someone else's words and actions. The singer feels like they are constantly being criticized and judged, causing them to feel worthless and powerless. The first verse starts with the singer acknowledging that they are a self-made victim, implying that they are at least partially responsible for their situation, but also recognizes that whatever was said or done to them was hurtful. They want to create something from these negative experiences, but they feel like it's impossible because the person they are talking to is wasting their breath. The chorus talks about how the singer is afraid that someday the person they are addressing will do more harm to them than just saying hurtful words. They fear that they might be destroyed and forgotten, or worse, they will be remembered only for the negative things this person has said about them. The bridge section talks about how the singer wishes they could be "intact" and not care what others think, but they can't help but feel hurt and inadequate. The song ends with the chorus repeating, emphasizing the fear that they will be destroyed by this person's negative actions.
Overall, the song is a powerful commentary on the effects of hurtful words and actions. It highlights the pain and suffering that can come from being constantly criticized and judged, and the all-consuming fear that this negativity will eventually destroy us. The bridge section's mention of being "intact" suggests that the singer wishes they could be impervious to other people's opinions and criticisms, but ultimately, they recognize that this is impossible. We are all vulnerable and subject to the opinions of others, even if we don't want to be.
Line by Line Meaning
Here I stand the self-made victim
I am taking responsibility for being the victim of my own choices and actions.
I know that you didn't mean anything, well
I understand that despite your behavior, you did not intentionally cause harm.
I'm trying to make something from nothing
I am struggling to find purpose and meaning in my life.
You're wasting your breath on these ears
Your words are falling on deaf ears and are not having any impact.
My dear
An affectionate way of addressing someone.
You will kill me someday
Your actions or words may cause my demise.
If you have to cash me in
If you have to get rid of me or use me for your own gain.
I will have to be okay
I will have to accept the consequences and carry on.
You'll fry the contents of my head
You will manipulate and control my thoughts and emotions.
Pretend and bend the words I said
You will twist my words to fit your own agenda.
And kill me someday, stone dead
Your actions or words will cause my ultimate demise.
I can't help but wish that I was virgo
I yearn for a feeling of purity and innocence.
Intact, oh I wouldn't care
I would not be bothered by anything if I had that sense of purity.
'Cause I just wouldn't know
I would be blissfully unaware of any negative experiences.
So don't say in this that you're on your own
Do not pretend that you are alone or helpless in this situation.
You founded the worst of these fears
You are the cause of my greatest fears.
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
SkrAp
Here I stand, the self-made victim
I know that you didn't do anything
I'm trying to make something from nothing
You're wasting your breath on these ears
My dear
You're wasting your breath on these ears
You will kill me someday
If you have to cash me in
I will have to be okay
You'll fry the contents of my head
Pretend and bend the words I said
And kill me someday, stone dead
I can't help but wish that I was virgo-intacto
I woudln't care
'Cause I just wouldn't know
So don't say in this that you're all alone
You founded the worst of these fears
My dear
You founded the worst of these fears
You will kill me someday
If you have to cash me in
I will have to be okay
You'll fry the contents of my head
Pretend and bend the words I said
And kill me someday, stone dead
Quarterbash
Can't believe I've never seen this video before today. So good. Band was criminally underrated.
Michael maher
The most underrated band in the US ever. Such an inspiration to me as a musician and lyrically to overcome some rough times. ALWAYS will be a favorite.
shredx81
They’re from Stourbridge, England.
Christian Breitler
😂😂
John Sota
This whole album is fantastic, definitely their best!
galactic ground crew commander
N to in
Duker2000
Love Neds! Neds got me through many a tough spot in my teen years...I almost wore the God Fodder tape out. Now im 36 and reviving them in my house...still love 'em!
Big Maz
Now you’re 47
Darren Turner
Truly one of my fav bands of all time even if they had 3 studio albums, the drumming n bass were masterful !
clallseven
I loved this band so fucking much! Still do, but the point is they seriously were my escape in high school! I would give anything to go back and see them live in their prime! Glad you appreciate them and got to experience that!