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.
Less Than Useful
Ned's Atomic Dustbin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm less than useful
I could take if from someone else
But even I think it's truthful
I need something my own size
Something that fits me well
Spend so long being serious
When someone could have died for less
I'll try
You say I must be in a mess
Well let me guess what you suggest
You want me to smile
Well I'll try
Do you want me to smile?
Yes, I see what you're saying
I'm still pretty youthful
I can take it from someone like you
You've still got your hands full
But I need someone my own size
Someone that fits me well
If you don't mind
I'll keep my thoughts to myself
If you don't mind
You can do the other
So you want me to find a reason
Find a reason
If you don't find a reason why
The song "Less Than Useful" by Ned's Atomic Dustbin is a song that speaks to many people who feel less than useful or unsure of their place in the world. The lyrics "I don't believe what I'm thinking, I'm less than useful" suggest a feeling of worthlessness or not living up to one's own expectations. The singer realizes that they could take advice from others, but deep down they know that only they can find the truth that works for them. This is reflected in the line "But even I think it's truthful". The singer wants something that fits them well, something that is their own size, but they've spent so long being serious and focusing on what others tell them to do that they've lost touch with their own desires and needs.
The chorus addresses the theme of smiling, a common expectation society places on people. The singer feels pressure to smile, but they must try because it's what's expected of them. They don't want to appear like they're in a "mess," but someone else's suggestion isn't always the best answer. The line "Do you want me to find a reason, find a reason" suggests that the singer is searching for their own purpose and reason for being. In the end, they're not sure if they've found it or not.
Overall, the song "Less Than Useful" speaks to people who feel like they're not living up to their potential or are uncertain about their place in the world. It offers an honest and relatable message about the need for self-discovery and finding one's own purpose in life.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't believe what I'm thinking
I doubt my own thoughts
I'm less than useful
I don't feel valuable
I could take if from someone else
I'm open to taking advice
But even I think it's truthful
I know when something is honest
I need something my own size
I need something that's meant for me
Something that fits me well
Something that suits me perfectly
Spend so long being serious
I've been serious for too long
When someone could have died for less
When there are bigger problems in the world
Do you want me to smile?
Are you asking me to be happy?
I'll try
I'll make an effort
You say I must be in a mess
You think I'm in a bad situation
Well let me guess what you suggest
I can guess what you're going to tell me
Yes, I see what you're saying
I understand your point
You've still got your hands full
You have your own problems to deal with
If you don't mind
If it's okay with you
I'll keep my thoughts to myself
I won't share my opinions
You can do the other
You can share your thoughts
So you want me to find a reason
You want me to justify myself
Find a reason
Give an explanation
If you don't find a reason why
If you can't explain why
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