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SHAPEMAG Steve Thompson

THE NEAT RECORDS STORY

By Steve Thompson

In 1977 I became house producer at duced became arguably some of the most
Impulse Recording Studios in Wallsend. influential bands of the period particu-
I helped set up and run Neat Records an larly in the USA. In particular Metallica
independent record label. The first couple have cited those three bands as highly
of releases (which I produced) were pop influential to them.
records. With Neat 03, the Tygers of Pan
Tang, Neat became and remained a heavy This is in depth presentation of my time
metal label. And a movement began: at the coal face of heavy metal. I include
The New Wave of British Heavy Metal audio and video as well as out-takes and
(NOBHM). I’ve since been dubbed “The unreleased tracks. I endeavour to paint
Godfather of The North East NWOBHM” a picture of what it was like to be there
and Neat records became the foremost when these historic events happened.
independent record label of the NWOB- There are some interesting aspects to the
HM. I produced just two more bands story. Some are hilarious and some are
for the label before leaving: Raven and outrageous. This is a rock and roll story
Venom. However the trio of bands I pro- so beware if you’re easily offended.

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