The Newmatics

aka Newmatics, Sistermatic


Up there on the high hall stage, The Newmatics are emerging, one by one, ushered in by a slim powerful horn section. With short hair, Modish suits and pointy-toed black shoes. They look so British. And Britain is where it’s happening right now.

Singer Mark Clare strides confidently on in the fanfare’s wake and starts working the capacity crowd like an old hand in a classic soul revue as the group blasts out number after original number, including tracks from the Top 20 charting double single Broadcast O.R.

The Newmatics, mid-1980 - Mark Clare, Simon Clark, Jeff Smith, Syd Pasley, Dick Reed
Photo credit: Photo by Murray Cammick
Maybe the Newmatics last gig at Mainstreet, 1982? With guests: John Quigley (from The Bongos), Nick Crowther (Prime Movers), Brian Tipa (Bongos), Mark Clare, Kelly Rogers and Chris Watts
Photo credit: Photo by Murray Cammick
The Newmatics 1981 - Benny Staples, Mark Clare, Simon Clark, Jeff Smith, Syd Pasley
The handwritten lyrics to the debut Newmatics single Judas, released in April 1981
Photo credit: Simon Grigg collection
The Newmatics: Syd Pasley, Mark Clare, Benny Staples, Kelly Rogers, Simon Clark, Jeff Smith - 1981, at John's Diner, cnr Albert and Swanson Streets
Photo credit: Photo by John Reynolds
October 1981 Rip It Up cover
Photo credit: Photo by Murray Cammick
The 'Riot Squad' - Mark Clare's inner sleeve for the Newmatics double 7-inch, adapted from a police graduation photo around the time of the 1981 tour
Photo credit: Simon Grigg Collection
The Newmatics: Syd Pasley, Benny Staples, Mark Clare
Photo credit: Photo by Murray Cammick
The Newmatics: Brent 'Syd' Pasley, Ben Staples, Mark Clare, Simon Clark, Jeff Smith
Photo credit: Simon Grigg collection
Sistermatic - Benny Staples, Koi-Ski, Sina Saipaia, Syd Pasley, Mark Clare
Judas poster - 1981
Mark Clare's artwork for the 'Broadcast OR' double 45, 1981
Sistermatic, 1988
Photo credit: Photo by Murray Cammick
Riot Squad
The Newmatics at XS
Photo credit: Simon Grigg collection
Mark Clare, Syd Pasley
Photo credit: Photo by Murray Cammick
The Newmatics in 1981, perhaps at a private party? Simon Clark, Syd Pasley, Benny Staples, Mark Clare, Jeff Smith.
Benny Staples (right) with The Woodentops
Photo credit: Photo by Jonathan Root
At XS Café with original drummer Rick Reed
Photo credit: Photo by Murray Cammick
Labels:

Furtive


Propeller

Members:

Mark Clare - vocals

Jeff Smith - bass

Brent ‘Syd’ Pasley - guitar

Benny Staples - drums

Dick Reed (aka Rick Reed) - drums

Simon Clark - saxophone

Kelly Rogers - saxophone

Chris Watts - brass

Trivia:

Mark Clare is an Auckland based actor and director.

Jeff Smith is a documentary maker and cameraman, who co-directed the 2011 Chants R&B documentary Rumble and Bang.

Ben Staples drummed for The Woodentops in the U.K, Lava Lava and his T Son project.

Kelly Rogers was involved in setting up and managing Rialto Cinemas.

Sistermatic’s single was withdrawn after one morning’s sales due to a threat of legal action – it named a financier then on the run from the authorities for fraud.

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