User:Memphisto/sandbox

In the summer of 1973, Newell joined Colchester glam rock cover band Plod as their lead singer, replacing founder member Steve Greenfield. Plod toured extensively and started to include Newell's compositions original songs in their repertoire, So as the band’s original material got better, however as they became better provincial agents wanted covers bands. In January 1975 independent label Banjul invited Plod to record a session at TMC Studios in Tooting during which they recorded six of Newell's songs, and the band signed a recording contract on the spot with Banjul. However, despite the band's jubilation at finally proving themselves in a studio, issues with the label, contract and and a lack of future gigs, and the band broke up a few months later. One track from the TMC Studios sessions "Neo City" was included on the 2003 compilation album Velvet Tinmine.

Early life
Martin Newell was born on 4 March 1953, the eldest of three boys. An army brat, he grew up in Singapore, Malaya, Cyprus, Dundee, Chester, London, Hertfordshire?, Hampshire?, and Essex? At the age of 14 he taught himself to play the guitar and was soon writing songs. He attended 11 different schools and left education aged 15 with no qualifications. LHe then moved about in a London as an office boy, window cleaner and postman.

https://web.archive.org/web/20110202211754/http://www.themightyplod.com/