The band were formed in Bradford, West Yorkshire in the autumn of 1980, taking their name from the army established by Parliament during the English Civil War, and played their first concert in Bradford in October, playing songs based on their shared love of punk rock and Northern soul. Following a large turnover of personnel, both permanent and as touring members, as of 2021 New Model Army comprise Sullivan, Dean White (keyboards and guitar), Michael Dean (drums), Marshall Gill (guitar) and Ceri Monger (bass). In 1999, when asked about this, Sullivan said 'We've been labelled as punks, post-punks, Goth, metal, folk – the lot, but we've always been beyond those style confines'. Whilst having their roots in punk rock, the band have always been difficult to categorise. By the time they began making their first records in 1983, Robert Heaton, a former drum technician for Hawkwind, had replaced Tompkins. Sullivan's lyrics, which range from directly political through to spiritual and personal, have always been considered as a key part of the band's appeal. Their music draws on influences across the musical spectrum, from punk and folk to soul, metal and classical. Sullivan has been the only continuous member of the band, which has seen numerous line-up changes in its four-decade history. New Model Army are an English rock band formed in Bradford, West Yorkshire, in 1980 by lead singer, guitarist and main composer Justin Sullivan, bassist Stuart Morrow and drummer Phil Tompkins.

New model army band