# The New English

*Songs, photographs and stories from the 1980s*

The New English were a London indie pop band of the late 1980s, built around Johnny Rasheed and Shareef C. (Sources: [A10](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/reading-preview-interview/), [A12](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/agency-publicity-trio/), [A14](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/band-interview-first-page/))

This archive gathers their tickets, posters, fanzine pages and publicity sheets, with the album and videos that later appeared online.

Every item has its own page.

Last substantive revision: 6 November 2026. Canonical page: https://thenewenglish.uk/

## At a glance

- **Origin:** Fulham, south-west London. (Sources: [A08](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/band-promotional-biography/), [A14](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/band-interview-first-page/))
- **Genre:** Indie pop, moving towards soul pop. (Sources: [A12](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/agency-publicity-trio/), [A10](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/reading-preview-interview/))
- **Active:** 1986 to 1988, with a [reunion show in Bonn](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/bazooka-poster/) in 1990. (Sources: [A05](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/tunnel-club-review/), [A07](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/bazooka-poster/), [B01](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B01))
- **Line-up:** [Johnny Rasheed](https://thenewenglish.uk/#johnny-rasheed) (bass, vocals), [Shareef C](https://thenewenglish.uk/#shareef-c) (guitar), [Joz](https://thenewenglish.uk/#joz) (vocals), [Sara](https://thenewenglish.uk/#sara) (drums). (Sources: [A14](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/band-interview-first-page/), [A09](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/le-beat-route-review/), [A12](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/agency-publicity-trio/), [B01](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B01))
- **Recordings:** *London 1987*, an eleven-track digital album released on 2 January 2019, a 2001 CDr of the same title, and a track on the 2015 compilation *3am Radio England*. (Sources: [B03](https://music.apple.com/us/album/london-1987/1448550541), [B05](https://music.amazon.com.br/albums/B07MHZ48Y4), [B14](https://www.discogs.com/release/25197358-New-English-London-1987), [B29](https://open.spotify.com/album/1sx1GI0hDOmHNOUuO32qVr))
- **Later projects:** Johnny Rasheed’s solo CD [Inspiration](https://thenewenglish.uk/#later-projects) (1993), [The Internationalists](https://thenewenglish.uk/#the-internationalists) and [Those Meddling Kids](https://thenewenglish.uk/#those-meddling-kids). (Sources: [B04](https://www.twee.net/bands/r/rasheedjohnn.html), [B02](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B02))
- **Not to be confused with:** The New English Rock Ensemble, the 2005 album New English on Popster, or The New English Weekly. (Sources: [B22](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/new-english-mn0001761947), [B23](https://music.apple.com/us/artist/the-new-english-rock-ensemble/214419385))

## The story of The New English

The New English were a London indie pop band built around Johnny Rasheed and Shareef C. The two grew up in Fulham in the late 1970s and early 1980s and first met at the age of eight, in a “jumpers for goals” football match in Normand Park. Their songs told true stories of teenage love in the schools, parks and pubs of south-west London. (Sources: [A08](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/band-promotional-biography/))

The partnership began as a duo called Years of Backwater in December 1983. They played one gig at The Swan in Kingston upon Thames in July 1984 and stopped after trouble with their drum and bass machines. In May 1985 Johnny and Shareef regrouped with Dave Beech on bass and a Korg drum machine as The Fallen Idols, who recorded several demo tapes but never played live. The name The New English followed in May 1986. (Sources: [B02](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B02))

Dave left soon after the change of name, and Johnny took over the bass. Joz came in as lead vocalist and left after three performances, and Johnny went back to singing. Demos continued with a Sequential Tom drum machine, which one interview prints as “Sequestial”. Sara joined on drums in April 1987 and left that September, after which the band played live with a drum machine again. (Sources: [B01](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B01), [A09](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/le-beat-route-review/), [A14](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/band-interview-first-page/), [A12](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/agency-publicity-trio/))

Their reference points came from the independent scene of the time, the world of the NME’s C86 cassette: Felt, Morrissey, the Redskins, the Woodentops, the Smiths and the Housemartins. “Kept me alive!” Shareef said of that scene, and Johnny said of Morrissey and Marr: “What those two blokes wrote in 1984 saved my life!” One interview page carried the slogan “Harder than the 4Skins, More melodic than The Beatles!” In a Reading preview, Johnny said the band wanted to lose the “Indie Pop” tag and move towards soul pop. (Sources: [A14](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/band-interview-first-page/), [A12](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/agency-publicity-trio/), [A10](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/reading-preview-interview/), [B32](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C86))

A fanzine writer counted an audience of 25 at the [Tunnel Club](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/tunnel-club-review/) in Greenwich on a very wet Tuesday, 28 October 1986, and judged The New English the better band on the bill. At [Le Beat Route](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/le-beat-route-review/) on 23 February 1987, a review called them “the liveliest band out on the night”, recorded that this was their tenth gig since October, and ended with a question: “When are they coming up north I ask ?” (Sources: [A05](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/tunnel-club-review/), [A09](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/le-beat-route-review/))

The band supported the Brilliant Corners and Frank Chickens, the latter at the Sir George Robey in Finsbury Park on 25 July 1987, and played the [Wimbledon Festival](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/wimbledon-festival-july-1987/) that month. For [Network East](https://thenewenglish.uk/#press) they recorded This Evening and Get Ready, and This Evening was broadcast. Their publicity offered bookers a tape and a video tape of the band. Tickets and posters add the ordinary details of a working band: £3 at the [Rock Garden](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/rock-garden-ticket/), a 10.30pm stage time at [Zeeta’s](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/zeetas-ticket/) in Putney, £2.50 before ten o’clock in [Reading](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/reading-may-poster/). (Sources: [A12](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/agency-publicity-trio/), [A08](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/band-promotional-biography/), [B01](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B01), [A03](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/rock-garden-ticket/), [A04](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/zeetas-ticket/), [A06](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/reading-may-poster/))

Despite interest from independent labels, the band could not secure a recording contract and split in March 1988. They reunited for a single show with S.P.G. at the [Bazooka in Bonn](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/bazooka-poster/) on 17 February 1990, playing a stripped-back Get Ready with guitar, bass and vocals only. The songs reappeared much later, when [London 1987](https://thenewenglish.uk/#recordings) reached digital platforms on 2 January 2019. (Sources: [B02](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B02), [A07](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/bazooka-poster/), [B03](https://music.apple.com/us/album/london-1987/1448550541))

### Timeline

This timeline of The New English runs from 1983 to 2019.

- **December 1983**: Years of Backwater formed. (Sources: [B02](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B02))
- **July 1984**: The duo plays The Swan. (Sources: [B02](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B02))
- **May 1985**: The Fallen Idols formed, with Dave Beech on bass. (Sources: [B02](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B02))
- **May 1986**: The band takes the name The New English. (Sources: [B02](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B02))
- **28 October 1986**: Tunnel Club, Greenwich. (Sources: [A05](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/tunnel-club-review/))
- **23 February 1987**: Le Beat Route, London. (Sources: [A09](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/le-beat-route-review/))
- **October 1987**: Get Ready recorded at Triple X Studios. (Sources: [Y04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opZEBh10uxM))
- **1987**: Network East and the Wimbledon Festival. (Sources: [A08](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/band-promotional-biography/), [A12](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/agency-publicity-trio/))
- **March 1988**: The main period of the band ends. (Sources: [B02](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B02))
- **April 1988**: You Make My Day Shine recorded at Cymbelline, Reading. (Sources: [Y03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGsgy2igPBo))
- **17 February 1990**: Reunion show at the Bazooka, Bonn. (Sources: [A07](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/bazooka-poster/), [B02](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B02))
- **December 1991**: The Internationalists formed. (Sources: [B02](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B02))
- **February 1992**: The Internationalists on BBC Radio Berkshire. (Sources: [B02](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B02))
- **1993**: Inspiration by Johnny Rasheed. (Sources: [B04](https://www.twee.net/bands/r/rasheedjohnn.html))
- **11 March 1995**: Johnny Rasheed at MacDevitt’s Bar, Reading. (Sources: [A01](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/johnny-rasheed-macdevitts-poster/))
- **July 1997**: The Internationalists at Bracknell Festival. (Sources: [B02](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B02))
- **2001**: London 1987 CDr on Jackfruit Music. (Sources: [B14](https://www.discogs.com/release/25197358-New-English-London-1987))
- **28 February 2015**: 3am Radio England compilation. (Sources: [B29](https://open.spotify.com/album/1sx1GI0hDOmHNOUuO32qVr), [B30](https://music.apple.com/us/album/3am-radio-england/1381528346))
- **2 January 2019**: London 1987 released digitally. (Sources: [B03](https://music.apple.com/us/album/london-1987/1448550541), [B05](https://music.amazon.com.br/albums/B07MHZ48Y4))

## The musicians

The two core musicians of The New English were Johnny Rasheed (bass, vocals) and Shareef C (guitar), with Joz and Sara in the line-up at different times and Dave Beech in the earlier project. (Sources: [A14](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/band-interview-first-page/), [A12](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/agency-publicity-trio/), [A09](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/le-beat-route-review/), [B01](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B01))

### Johnny Rasheed

*Bass and vocals*

Johnny Rasheed sang and played bass, and also played acoustic guitar. Johnny took over the bass after Dave Beech left and returned to lead vocals after Joz. A fanzine interview lists Johnny on bass and vocals, and a Reading preview uses “singer/bassist” and quotes Johnny on the band’s direction. The kit was an Ovation acoustic guitar, a Cimar copy of a Precision bass and a Carlsboro amplifier. In 1993 came a solo CD, *Inspiration*. (Sources: [A14](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/band-interview-first-page/), [A10](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/reading-preview-interview/), [B01](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B01), [B04](https://www.twee.net/bands/r/rasheedjohnn.html))

### Shareef C

*Guitar*

Shareef C played guitar, and both live reviews in this archive single out that playing: “brilliant riffs” at the Tunnel Club, where the name is typed Sharef, and “brilliant guitaring” at Le Beat Route. In a fanzine interview Shareef talks about the independent scene and an admiration for Lawrence of Felt and for Morrissey. The kit was a Fender Jazz, later swapped for an Eccleshall copy of a Gibson ES-335, played through a Peavey amplifier. (Sources: [A05](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/tunnel-club-review/), [A09](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/le-beat-route-review/), [A14](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/band-interview-first-page/), [B01](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B01))

### Joz

*Vocals, early line-up*

Joz came in as lead vocalist after Dave Beech left and sang at three performances. A photograph on a fanzine page from 1987 shows Joz in the middle, with a caption saying Joz was no longer with the band. (Sources: [A09](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/le-beat-route-review/), [B01](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B01))

### Sara

*Drums*

Sara joined on drums in April 1987 and left that September. The name appears on a band publicity sheet beside a photograph of three people, under the booking details, and a drummer is on stage in the Wimbledon Festival photograph of July 1987. (Sources: [A12](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/agency-publicity-trio/), [A17](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/wimbledon-festival-july-1987/), [B01](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B01))

### Earlier line-up and predecessor project

#### Dave Beech

*Earlier project*

Dave Beech played bass in The Fallen Idols, the project before The New English, and left shortly after the change of name in May 1986. (Sources: [B01](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B01))

## Live history

The New English played clubs, colleges and festivals in London, Reading and beyond between 1986 and 1988, with a later show in Bonn. (Sources: [A05](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/tunnel-club-review/), [A09](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/le-beat-route-review/), [A06](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/reading-may-poster/), [A07](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/bazooka-poster/), [B01](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B01))

### Tunnel Club, Greenwich

*28 October 1986*

The Tunnel Club was best known as Malcolm Hardee’s alternative comedy club. The New English shared the bill with The Third Man. A fanzine reviewer counted 25 people on a very wet Tuesday, at a pub and club on an industrial estate near the Blackwall Tunnel, and rated The New English “by far the best”. (Sources: [A05](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/tunnel-club-review/), [B25](https://greenwichwire.co.uk/2016/08/08/fire-wrecks-home-of-the-tunnel-club-greenwichs-alternative-comedy-shrine/))

### Le Beat Route, London

*23 February 1987*

Le Beat Route was a Soho nightclub at 16 Greek Street, opened in November 1980, and the review heading spells it La Beatroute. The reviewer called The New English “the liveliest band out on the night” and the venue “a rather plush expensive night club”, noted wrong opening chords on “Sixteen” and recorded that this was their tenth gig since October. (Sources: [A09](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/le-beat-route-review/), [B26](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_Street), [B33](https://shapersofthe80s.com/2011/12/09/2011-%E2%9E%A4-party-of-the-year-recreates-the-swinging-80s-at-the-legendary-beat-route-down-down-past-the-talk-of-the-town/))

### Extended gig chronology

- **28 October 1986**, [Tunnel Club, Greenwich](https://thenewenglish.uk/live/1986-10-28-tunnel-club/). Documents: [Review](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/tunnel-club-review/). (Sources: [A05](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/tunnel-club-review/))
- **11 November 1986**, The Tramshed, Woolwich. (Sources: [B01](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B01))
- **15 November 1986**, The Harlequin, Peckham. (Sources: [B01](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B01))
- **3 February 1987**, Mad Hatters, Southport. (Sources: [B01](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B01))
- **23 February 1987**, [Le Beat Route, London](https://thenewenglish.uk/live/1987-02-23-le-beat-route/). Documents: [Review](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/le-beat-route-review/). (Sources: [A09](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/le-beat-route-review/))
- **15 May 1987**, [Paradise Club, Reading](https://thenewenglish.uk/live/1987-05-15-paradise-club/). Documents: [Poster](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/reading-may-poster/). (Sources: [A06](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/reading-may-poster/), [B01](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B01))
- **15 June 1987**, Le Beat Route, London. (Sources: [B01](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B01))
- **11 July 1987**, [Wimbledon Festival, Wimbledon](https://thenewenglish.uk/live/1987-07-11-wimbledon-festival/). Documents: [Photo](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/wimbledon-festival-july-1987/), [Publicity](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/agency-publicity-trio/). (Sources: [A17](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/wimbledon-festival-july-1987/), [A12](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/agency-publicity-trio/), [B01](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B01))
- **25 July 1987**, [Sir George Robey (supporting Frank Chickens), Finsbury Park](https://thenewenglish.uk/live/1987-07-25-sir-george-robey/). Documents: [Publicity](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/agency-publicity-trio/). (Sources: [A12](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/agency-publicity-trio/), [B01](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B01))
- **16 August 1987**, Dingwalls, Camden. (Sources: [B01](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B01))
- **27 August 1987**, The Old White Horse, Brixton. (Sources: [B01](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B01))
- **16 October 1987**, Edge Hill College, Ormskirk. (Sources: [B01](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B01))
- **7 November 1987**, Sipson Community Hall, Sipson. (Sources: [B01](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B01))
- **27 November 1987**, [St David’s Hall, Reading](https://thenewenglish.uk/live/1987-11-27-st-davids-hall/). Documents: [Preview](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/reading-preview-interview/). (Sources: [A10](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/reading-preview-interview/), [B01](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B01))
- **7 December 1987**, [Rock Garden, London](https://thenewenglish.uk/live/1987-12-07-rock-garden/). Documents: [Ticket](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/rock-garden-band-pass/), [Ticket 2](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/rock-garden-ticket/). (Sources: [A03](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/rock-garden-ticket/), [B01](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B01), [A18](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/rock-garden-band-pass/))
- **11 January 1988**, Polytechnic of Central London, London. (Sources: [B01](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B01))
- **11 February 1988**, [The World at Zeeta’s, Putney](https://thenewenglish.uk/live/1988-02-11-the-world-at-zeetas/). Documents: [Ticket](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/zeetas-ticket/). (Sources: [A04](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/zeetas-ticket/), [B01](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B01))
- **17 February 1990**, [Bazooka, Bonn](https://thenewenglish.uk/live/1990-02-17-bazooka/). Documents: [Poster](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/bazooka-poster/). (Sources: [A07](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/bazooka-poster/), [B02](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B02), [Y07](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRwZiTIubiE))

The dates, venues and documents are also on the [timeline](https://thenewenglish.uk/timeline/).

## Photographs, posters and documents

The New English archive holds eighteen items: colour photographs of the band, fanzine reviews and interviews, tickets, a band pass, posters, publicity sheets and two items for Johnny Rasheed’s solo appearances. Each item has its own page.

- [The New English, May 1986](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/band-photograph-may-1986/): Photograph, May 1986. Colour photograph of the band in May 1986, the month the name The New English was adopted.
- [The New English, October 1986](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/band-photograph-october-1986/): Photograph, October 1986. Colour photograph of the band in a hallway, October 1986.
- [Tunnel Club review, 28 October 1986](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/tunnel-club-review/): Fanzine review, 28/10/86. A fanzine Reviews page with a review of The New English and The Third Man at the Tunnel Club, Greenwich, 28 October 1986.
- [Fanzine interview, first page](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/band-interview-first-page/): Fanzine interview, 1987. First page of a fanzine interview with The New English, naming Johnny Rasheed on bass and vocals and Shareef on guitars, with a drum machine.
- [Le Beat Route review, 23 February 1987](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/le-beat-route-review/): Fanzine review, 23.2.87. Fanzine page reviewing The New English at Le Beat Route on 23 February 1987, with a photograph captioned to say Joz, in the middle, had left the band.
- [The New English at the Wimbledon Festival, July 1987](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/wimbledon-festival-july-1987/): Photograph, July 1987. The New English on stage at the Wimbledon Festival, July 1987.
- [Rock Garden band pass, 7 December 1987](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/rock-garden-band-pass/): Band pass, 7 December 1987. Rock Garden band pass with The New English and 7/12/87 written in by hand.
- [Reading poster for 15 May](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/reading-may-poster/): Poster, 15 May 1987. Poster for New English on 15 May 1987, with admission prices and a Reading address.
- [Reading preview in What’s Happening?](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/reading-preview-interview/): Local listing and interview, 27 November 1987. Reading listings zine spread previewing The New English at St David’s Hall on Friday 27 November 1987, with Johnny Rasheed on soul pop.
- [Rock Garden admission card, 7 December](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/rock-garden-ticket/): Ticket, 7 December 1987. Rock Garden admission card for The New English at “Breakthrough I”, Monday 7 December 1987, £3 at the door.
- [Band publicity biography](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/band-promotional-biography/): Publicity sheet, 1987. Band publicity biography describing a Fulham childhood, a first national television appearance and songs about teenage love.
- [Publicity sheet with trio photograph](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/agency-publicity-trio/): Publicity sheet, 1987. Band publicity sheet with a trio photograph, handwritten booking details for A C Promotion and a typed question-and-answer section.
- [Demo review: Get Ready and This Evening](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/demo-tape-review/): Demo review, 1987. Demo review of The New English in the What’s Happening? zine, covering the songs Get Ready and This Evening.
- [Interview in The Mighty Utterance!](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/band-interview-continuation/): Fanzine interview, 1987. Mighty Utterance! interview with The New English: Johnny on London, teenage love and the band name.
- [Zeeta’s ticket, 11 February](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/zeetas-ticket/): Ticket, 11 February 1988. Red-printed Zeeta’s club card with The New English, Thurs 11th Feb 1988 and 10.30pm written in by hand.
- [Bazooka poster with S.P.G., 17 February](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/bazooka-poster/): Poster, 17 February 1990. Handwritten poster billing S.P.G. (UK) and The New English (UK) at the Bazooka, Bonn, Saturday 17 February 1990.
- [Johnny Rasheed at MacDevitt’s Bar: solo poster](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/johnny-rasheed-macdevitts-poster/): Poster, 11 March 1995. Poster for a free Johnny Rasheed evening at MacDevitt’s Bar, Reading, Saturday 11 March 1995.
- [Johnny Rasheed: Saturday running order](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/johnny-rasheed-saturday-running-order/): Running order, Undated. A printed Saturday running order listing Johnny Rasheed with four other acts.

## Reviews and interviews

The press in this archive comes from fanzines and local listings sheets: live reviews, a review of a two-song demo and interviews about music and life in London. (Sources: [A05](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/tunnel-club-review/), [A09](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/le-beat-route-review/), [A10](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/reading-preview-interview/), [A11](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/band-interview-continuation/), [A13](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/demo-tape-review/), [A14](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/band-interview-first-page/))

### Who wrote about the band

The Tunnel Club and Le Beat Route pages both carry a sign-off from someone called Nik and thank the same contributors. Pages from *What’s Happening?* and *The Mighty Utterance!* in Reading share one contact block, so one Reading publisher covered the band three times. (Sources: [A05](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/tunnel-club-review/), [A09](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/le-beat-route-review/), [A10](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/reading-preview-interview/), [A11](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/band-interview-continuation/), [A13](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/demo-tape-review/))

### A two-song demo

A *What’s Happening?* review discusses a tape of Get Ready and This Evening. The writer hears “two sprightly pop songs”, compares the vocals with Lloyd Cole and Paul Weller, and notes that the brass sounds synthesised. It is a response to two recordings, not a general history of the group. (Sources: [A13](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/demo-tape-review/))

### Two interview pages

One fanzine page lists the line-up and runs through short topics, from drum machines and the independent scene to Morrissey and Marr. A page from *The Mighty Utterance!* has Johnny on London, teenage love and the band’s name: “We ARE the new english! - The newest blood in this country... like the Normans in 1066!” On London, the advice was “I’d always recommend Whitechapel over Westminster, and East Ham over Ealing!” (Sources: [A14](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/band-interview-first-page/), [A11](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/band-interview-continuation/))

### Johnny on soul pop

In a Reading preview, Johnny says the band wanted to lose the “Indie Pop” label and compete with Rick Astley rather than Voice of the Beehive or All About Eve: “We’re trying to move more towards soul pop.” The piece quotes an earlier line calling the band “The only hope inspiring phoenix to rise from the ashes of Indie Pop”, which Johnny says Shareef did not like, and Johnny adds: “London is the worst place in the world for gigs.” It previews a show at St David’s Hall on Friday 27 November 1987. (Sources: [A10](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/reading-preview-interview/))

### Network East

Network East was a BBC Two programme for Britain’s Asian communities, launched on 25 July 1987 and made at Pebble Mill in Birmingham. The band’s appearance that year was its first on national television. The line-up recorded This Evening and Get Ready for the programme, and This Evening was broadcast. A video of This Evening from the television studio is on YouTube. (Sources: [B24](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1987_in_British_television), [B34](https://www.pebblemill.org/tag/network-east/), [A08](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/band-promotional-biography/), [A12](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/agency-publicity-trio/), [B01](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B01), [Y06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_WRj2e86Ds))

## Recordings

### London 1987

*The New English*

*Digital release 2 January 2019*

*London 1987* is an eleven-track album of about 35 minutes, released digitally on 2 January 2019 with a RipItUp Records credit. It is on Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer and Tidal. (Sources: [B03](https://music.apple.com/us/album/london-1987/1448550541), [B05](https://music.amazon.com.br/albums/B07MHZ48Y4), [B21](https://open.spotify.com/album/3BnIhDq7OO7oDUTvWwp8Ar), [B18](https://www.deezer.com/album/83444182), [B19](https://tidal.com/album/101908814))

Get Ready and This Evening, the two songs reviewed on a demo tape in *What’s Happening?*, are tracks 1 and 2 of *London 1987*. (Sources: [A13](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/demo-tape-review/), [B05](https://music.amazon.com.br/albums/B07MHZ48Y4))

Get Ready and This Evening were recorded at Triple X Studios, North Acton, in 1987, and You Make My Day Shine at Cymbelline, Reading, in April 1988. The two Live in Bonn tracks come from the band’s 1990 concert at the Bazooka. (Sources: [Y02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzYbWwo1Izw), [Y03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGsgy2igPBo), [Y04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opZEBh10uxM), [Y07](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRwZiTIubiE))

A limited CDr called *London 1987* appeared on Jackfruit Music (JRJF004) in 2001, with fifteen tracks: Secretly I Wonder, This English Day, Sixteen, The First Time, Let’s Take a Walk, Secretly I Wonder (Oxshott Mix), Tufnell Park, I Rather Be Alone, This Evening, Get Ready, Kim, (You Make My) Day Shine, Zoot Suit, Get Ready (Live) and The Day After Tomorrow. Sixteen is the song named in the Le Beat Route review. (Sources: [B14](https://www.discogs.com/release/25197358-New-English-London-1987), [A09](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/le-beat-route-review/))

The compilation *3am Radio England* (28 February 2015, RipItUp Records) includes [Alone (I’d Rather Be)](https://open.spotify.com/track/1tDkeQ6Oyr6Y9WZWeyqwmx) by The New English and Hope (Freedom) by Johnny Rasheed. (Sources: [B29](https://open.spotify.com/album/1sx1GI0hDOmHNOUuO32qVr), [B30](https://music.apple.com/us/album/3am-radio-england/1381528346))

*Track order and durations for the 2019 digital album.* (Sources: [B05](https://music.amazon.com.br/albums/B07MHZ48Y4), [B03](https://music.apple.com/us/album/london-1987/1448550541), [B18](https://www.deezer.com/album/83444182))

### Videos

Eight videos of The New English and The Internationalists are on YouTube. Each one starts when you press play. (Sources: [Y01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQixqSQqJuw), [Y02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzYbWwo1Izw), [Y03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGsgy2igPBo), [Y04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opZEBh10uxM), [Y05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDldN02cvMg), [Y06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_WRj2e86Ds), [Y07](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRwZiTIubiE), [Y08](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sop6wz5qcIg))

#### London 1987: track listing

The New English. 2 January 2019. Label credit: RipItUp Records. (Sources: [B03](https://music.apple.com/us/album/london-1987/1448550541), [B05](https://music.amazon.com.br/albums/B07MHZ48Y4), [B18](https://www.deezer.com/album/83444182), [B19](https://tidal.com/album/101908814), [B21](https://open.spotify.com/album/3BnIhDq7OO7oDUTvWwp8Ar))

1. [Get Ready](https://thenewenglish.uk/songs/get-ready/) (03:00). Listen: [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/4KPxMmNkwpeZJEHhjpFHPA), [Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/album/get-ready/1448550541?i=1448550544), [Deezer](https://www.deezer.com/track/612736622), [YouTube Music](https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=taH5WxdvXxk)
2. [This Evening](https://thenewenglish.uk/songs/this-evening/) (02:34). Listen: [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/6ZvXWJydi1S2As55wNaMdM), [Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/album/this-evening/1448550541?i=1448550549), [Deezer](https://www.deezer.com/track/612736632), [YouTube Music](https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXML5281CL0)
3. [Alone](https://thenewenglish.uk/songs/alone/) (02:47). Listen: [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/6TRtb9XjPhIyW1S4aELlka), [Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/album/alone/1448550541?i=1448550701), [Deezer](https://www.deezer.com/track/612736642), [YouTube Music](https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=RVDdL15iGjo)
4. [Secretly I Wonder](https://thenewenglish.uk/songs/secretly-i-wonder/) (02:54). Listen: [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/7B44K9oret6mkOkCTmDzd1), [Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/album/secretly-i-wonder/1448550541?i=1448550702), [Deezer](https://www.deezer.com/track/612736652), [YouTube Music](https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=9Kyv3Xmt2p0)
5. [The Day After Tomorrow](https://thenewenglish.uk/songs/the-day-after-tomorrow/) (02:58). Listen: [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/0YDHVKH6L8qkXoPoN1Wr1M), [Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-day-after-tomorrow/1448550541?i=1448550705), [Deezer](https://www.deezer.com/track/612736662), [YouTube Music](https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=BU7usREuJFQ)
6. [You Make My Day Shine](https://thenewenglish.uk/songs/you-make-my-day-shine/) (02:47). Listen: [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/2DT20g0CZEG4AMluJDug8J), [Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/album/you-make-my-day-shine/1448550541?i=1448550710), [Deezer](https://www.deezer.com/track/612736672), [YouTube Music](https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=tc1TeqR1Wys)
7. [This English Day](https://thenewenglish.uk/songs/this-english-day/) (03:36). Listen: [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/22d6iFAdjZENCq9RxRXVYm), [Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/album/this-english-day/1448550541?i=1448550712), [Deezer](https://www.deezer.com/track/612736682), [YouTube Music](https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=2b636cw0sd8)
8. [Let’s Take a Walk](https://thenewenglish.uk/songs/lets-take-a-walk/) (02:55). Listen: [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/3fueOcgpGvbArPcRS2liDW), [Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/album/lets-take-a-walk/1448550541?i=1448550714), [Deezer](https://www.deezer.com/track/612736692), [YouTube Music](https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=qZjsnyTM2K4)
9. [Tufnell Park](https://thenewenglish.uk/songs/tufnell-park/) (02:30). Listen: [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/0hJhEmZre1JhV6Q9jwqxb1), [Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/album/tufnell-park/1448550541?i=1448550722), [Deezer](https://www.deezer.com/track/612736702), [YouTube Music](https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=JkgTjD2aitk)
10. [Get Ready (Live in Bonn)](https://thenewenglish.uk/songs/get-ready/) (04:35). Listen: [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/7MO1KU3e5vn7tFdrWlVEtj), [Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/album/get-ready-live-in-bonn/1448550541?i=1448550724), [Deezer](https://www.deezer.com/track/612736712), [YouTube Music](https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=yT3s2BzowFQ)
11. [This English Day (Live in Bonn)](https://thenewenglish.uk/songs/this-english-day/) (04:31). Listen: [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/4qv6o73BzDgHf4DYD7vNdw), [Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/album/this-english-day-live-in-bonn/1448550541?i=1448550726), [Deezer](https://www.deezer.com/track/612736722), [YouTube Music](https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=gZNDihMwvRU)

Listen or view: [Listen on Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/album/london-1987/1448550541); [Listen on Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/3BnIhDq7OO7oDUTvWwp8Ar); [View on Amazon Music](https://music.amazon.com.br/albums/B07MHZ48Y4); [Listen on Deezer](https://www.deezer.com/album/83444182); [Listen on Tidal](https://tidal.com/album/101908814)

Every song has its own page: [all songs](https://thenewenglish.uk/songs/).

#### Videos

- [The New English - The Day After Tomorrow](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQixqSQqJuw), 3:00, uploaded 8 July 2024 by sc101101. Description: Artist: The New English / Song: The Day After Tomorrow (this version recorded 1998) / Playing at Wimbledon Festival July 1987 / © 1984 RipItUp records (Sources: [Y01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQixqSQqJuw))
- [The New English - This Evening](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzYbWwo1Izw), 2:35, uploaded 7 August 2024 by sc101101. Description: © 1987 (P) 1987 RipItUp Records / Recorded at Triple X, North Acton, London 1987 (Sources: [Y02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzYbWwo1Izw))
- [The New English - You Make My Day Shine](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGsgy2igPBo), 2:52, uploaded 18 August 2024 by sc101101. Description: © 1988 ℗ 1988 The New English / Recorded at Cymbelline, Reading England April 1988 / RipItUp Records (Sources: [Y03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGsgy2igPBo))
- [The New English - Get Ready!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opZEBh10uxM), 3:02, uploaded 1 September 2024 by sc101101. Description: Recorded at Triple X Studios, North Acton, London October 1987 / Ⓒ 1987 Ⓟ 1987 RipItUp Records (Sources: [Y04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opZEBh10uxM))
- [The New English - You Make My Day Shine (99Mix)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDldN02cvMg), 2:43, uploaded 1 October 2024 by sc101101. Description: Recorded New Rising Studios, Essex / New Years Day 1999 / Ⓒ 1987 Ⓟ 1999 RipItUp Records (Sources: [Y05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDldN02cvMg))
- [The New English "This Evening"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_WRj2e86Ds), 2:31, uploaded 18 February 2014 by sc101101. Description: This Evening, performed in a television studio for the BBC Two programme Network East. (Sources: [Y06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_WRj2e86Ds))
- [The New English - Get Ready! (Live)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRwZiTIubiE), 3:59, uploaded 1 September 2024 by sc101101. Description: Recorded Live concert at Bazooka, Bonn, Germany March 1990 / Ⓒ 1987 Ⓟ 1987 RipItUp Records (Sources: [Y07](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRwZiTIubiE))

## Later projects and solo work

After the main period of the band, Johnny Rasheed released a solo CD, *Inspiration* (1993), and played in two further groups, The Internationalists and Those Meddling Kids. The New English also reunited for a show with S.P.G. at the Bazooka in Bonn on Saturday 17 February 1990, a venue that was hosting bands in the city that year. (Sources: [B04](https://www.twee.net/bands/r/rasheedjohnn.html), [B02](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B02), [A07](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/bazooka-poster/), [Y07](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRwZiTIubiE), [B35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tn_n5bLqNHY))

### Inspiration

*Johnny Rasheed*

*CD 1993 Jackfruit Music*

*Inspiration* is a solo CD by Johnny Rasheed on Jackfruit Music (JRJF001), recorded at Blockhouse Studios, Stratford, London, in April 1993 and released that May. Jezz Wright produced it and played drums and keyboards, and Guy Davis mastered it at SRT, Cambridge. Johnny sang and played acoustic guitar, with Shareef C on acoustic and electric guitars, Martin Lynch on bass, Simon Tarry of The Rileys on electric guitar, Robb Johnson on electric guitar, dobro, banjo and harmonica, George Whitfield of VOXPOP and Pressgang on accordion, Aubrey Braithewaite on piano and Gemma Townley of Blueboy and Sarah Records on cello. The founder of Twee.net later picked it out among five obscure indiepop releases worth hearing. A Reading poster and a Saturday running order record Johnny’s solo appearances. (Sources: [B04](https://www.twee.net/bands/r/rasheedjohnn.html), [B15](https://www.discogs.com/release/3166424-Johnny-Rasheed-Inspiration), [B31](https://www.cloudberryrecords.com/blog/?p=826), [A01](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/johnny-rasheed-macdevitts-poster/), [A02](https://thenewenglish.uk/archive/johnny-rasheed-saturday-running-order/))

### The Internationalists

The Internationalists were an acoustic duo of Johnny and Shareef, formed in December 1991, who performed without bass or drums. They appeared on BBC Radio Berkshire in February 1992, were active through 1993 and gave their final live performance at Bracknell Festival in July 1997. A sixteen-minute video of that set is on YouTube. (Sources: [B02](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B02), [Y08](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sop6wz5qcIg))

### Those Meddling Kids

Between 1991 and 1993, Johnny played bass in Those Meddling Kids, who performed throughout south-east England. (Sources: [B02](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/#source-B02))

#### Inspiration: track listing

Johnny Rasheed. 1993. Label credit: Jackfruit Music. (Sources: [B04](https://www.twee.net/bands/r/rasheedjohnn.html))

1. Close To Me
2. Living in Surrey
3. Summer Strangers
4. Hope
5. May
6. Smile In The End
7. Cressida
8. George Harrison

Listen or view: [TweeNet entry](https://www.twee.net/bands/r/rasheedjohnn.html); [Discogs entry](https://www.discogs.com/release/3166424-Johnny-Rasheed-Inspiration)

#### Videos

- [The New English - Bracknell Festival July 1997](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sop6wz5qcIg), 16:13, uploaded 12 July 2025 by sc101101. Description: The New English aka The Internationalists / Live at Bracknell Festival July 1997 / Johnny Rasheed - vocals, Telecaster / Shareef C - Eccleshall Custom 335 / copyright The New English (Sources: [Y08](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sop6wz5qcIg))

More: [songs](https://thenewenglish.uk/songs/), [timeline](https://thenewenglish.uk/timeline/), [sources and research data](https://thenewenglish.uk/research/), [questions and answers](https://thenewenglish.uk/questions/), [about this archive](https://thenewenglish.uk/about-this-archive/).