"Best surprise this month, hands down."

[Repost from Maximum Rocknroll; by Robert Collins, Issue #441 October 2021]

North Carolina outfit that hits like 1978 freak punk (the MAD, BAGS, SCREAMERS) without sounding like any kind of a rehash. Tracks like “D.O.I.I.” and the title track are pure fire—one hundred percent in-your-face and shameless punk couched in unabashedly catchy four-on-the-floor burners. Best surprise this month, hands down.

Lacie Jay, PMAttitude, and Murdoch of Neon Belly

Review / 200 Words Or Less: Neon Belly - Self-Titled, Fort Lowell Records (2021)

[Repost from Scene Point Blank; by Loren Green, October 6, 2021]

Let’s call it like is it is. Punk rock has been too much of a boys’ club for far too long. And, since the style is rooted in blunt communication, what better way to call attention than putting the scene on alert on the first song of a band’s first EP? Neon Belly starts with a mission statement in “The Boys Are Alright,” and then backs it up with enjoyable yet meaningful tunes throughout the 5-song EP.

This is confrontational, aggressive protest punk with a home recorded, high energy vibe. While it’s indisputably angry, though, the basslines are almost playful and fun. On “D.O.I.I. (Dissemination of Intimate Images),” for example, it captures a more vibrant mood, showing that you can smile and dance without watering down the message.

Just as that song title shows, the messages are front and center here. But the message isn’t much without music to back it up. Neon Belly pulls off the right balance of politics and tone. This is upbeat, hardcore-inspired punk to shout along to with some subtle lighter moments that give needed balance.

The recording itself is effectively DIY. It sounds live and without polish: just as it would in a basement or prepping the crowd before a rally.

Punk rock outfit Neon Belly unleash their potent debut EP

[Repost from Rebel Noise; by Jen Dan, September 17, 2021]

The North Carolinian band are using the sales the help fundraiser school supplies and hygiene products.

Based in Wilmington, North Carolina, punk rock group Neon Belly are helping to support a fundraiser for school supplies and hygiene products in New Hanover county. They’re doing so through the sales of their debut self-titled EP, which arrived in early September via Fort Lowell Records.

They were inspired by another fundraiser/project, GROW: A Compilation in Solidarity with Black Lives Matter, that also came out through Fort Lowell.

The fundraiser that Neon Belly is involved with is being managed by Wanda’s Creative Hair Salon in Wilmington.

Neon Belly is made up of Lacie Jay (vocals) and PMattitude (guitar, bass), who are recently married to each other, along with Nice Derek (drums, producer).

The EP comprises original tunes plus a cover of “Don’t Hide Your Hate” that was originally recording by Filth. Jay, however adapted the lyrics by Dick Bakker, giving them a Neon Belly twist.

Listeners can donate to the fundraiser by purchasing the EP digitally at Bandcamp (name-your-price) and/or on 7” vinyl from participating record stores and specific local markets in Wilmington.

Live Concert Photographs of Neon Belly at The Opera Room; July 30, 2021

Photographs by J.(oshua) Noel Sullivan

Neon Belly - The Boys Are Alright

[Repost from Just Some Punk Songs; by Mick Fletcher, September 4, 2021]

So, today's song. It's by a band from Wilmington, North Carolina called Neon Belly. They feature a line up of Lacie Jay (vocals), PMAttitude (guitar/bass) & Nice Derek (drums/production). They've just released a Self Titled 5 track ep which is available on Bandcamp as a name your price download https://fortlowell.bandcamp.com/album/neon-belly and on 7" vinyl from Fort Lowell Records. It's on an assortment of coloured variants and limited to 100 hand numbered copies. You can get it here: https://www.thefuzzyneedle.com/shop/neon-belly-neon-belly 

It's a fundraiser release, 100% of the sales from this record will be used to provide School Supplies & Hygiene Products in New Hanover County as part of a charity drive managed by Wanda's Creative Hair Salon at 1001 Castle St, Wilmington, NC 28401 [Phone: (910) 297-1745]. 

Their sound is straight up shouty, enthusiastic punk. Female vocals, rough and ready production all performed with great gusto. One of the highlights is a cover of a song released as a single in 1978 by Netherlands band The Filth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81c_T42rx-8). I think it's better than the original. 

This however is the lead track, it's called The Boys Are Alright...

OUT NOW: Neon Belly 'Neon Belly' [EP], available on all digital platforms + 7inch vinyl

Live Concert Video of Neon Belly at The Opera Room, July 30, 2021

On the eve of their wedding last month, now husband and wife -- PMattitude and Lacie Jay -- perform a live concert with bandmates Nice Derek (drums) and Kevin Earl (bass) as Neon Belly at The Opera Room in Wilmington NC.  Watch as they perform "My Bad" and "Leslie Gore" from their self-titled debut EP.

Neon Belly EP Review by Tremendo Garaje

[Repost by Tremendo Garaje; August 12, 2021]

After being introduced at the end of last year with a great track included in GROW: A Compilation in Solidarity with Black Lives Matter which already put us on the trail of this 3-piece from Wilmington, NC, and when not even two months have passed since their very first gig, we get from Fort Lowell Records the first Neon Belly's 7" EP, one of the most juicy and interesting raw basic punk debuts we have heard this year, which also has a charitable cause, since 100% profits will be donated in school supplies and hygiene products in New Hanover County.

OUT NOW: New Vinyl Record From Port City Punks, Neon Belly

Fort Lowell Records is very excited to share with you that the self-titled five-song debut EP from Wilmington, North Carolina's punk rockers -- Neon Belly -- is officially available on assorted colored vinyl record. 100% of the sales from this record will be used to provide School Supplies & Hygiene Products in New Hanover County as part of a charity drive managed by Wanda's Creative Hair Salon at 1001 Castle St, Wilmington, NC 28401 [Phone: (910) 297-1745]. 

Neon Belly features newlyweds Lacie Jay (vocals) and PMattitude (guitar / bass), along with Nice Derek (drums / producer). The 7inch record is limited to (100) hand-numbered copies and pressed on assorted colored vinyl. The EP includes one cover song -- "Don't Hide Your Hate" -- originally recorded by Filth and written by Dick Bakker, with adapted lyrics by Lacie Jay, and was mastered by Grammy-Nominated Mastering Engineer, Jeff Lipton, at Peerless Mastering (Dropkick Murphys, Arcade Fire, Andrew Bird, LCD Soundsystem).

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE 7INCH VINYL RECORD

Punk for a cause via Neon Belly

[Repost from Scene Point Blank; by Loren, August 10, 2021]

Fort Lowell Records has announced a new EP from Neon Belly of Wilmington, NC. The self-titled 7" Ep comes out on Sept. 3 with a 100% charitable cause in mind -- specifically that the band will donate all profits to provide school supplies and hygiene products in New Hanover County, NC.

Limited to a pressing of 100 copies, the EP includes five songs, one of which is a cover/adaptation of "Don't Hide Your Hate," originally by Filth. To keep namedropping, the band itself plays a high energy punk band in the vein of early '80s hardcore such JFA, Government Issue, and 7 Seconds.

Fort Lowell released GROW: A Compilation in Solidarity with Black Lives Matter previously, which partially inspired the for-charity concept here. 

TRACK LISTING:

1. The Boys Are Alright [2:16]
2. D.O.I.I. (Dissemination of Intimate Images) [2:12]
3. My Bad [1:29]
4. Don't Hide Your Hate* [1:38]
5. Leslie Gore [1:40]

*Original song by Filth, written by Dick Bakker; Adapted Lyrics by Lacie Jay

Neon Belly, Photo by Janice O'Leary

It's a Beautiful Day!

Today we celebrate these two: Lacie Jay + PMattitude from Neon Belly are getting married! 💛🧡❤️️💖

Neon Belly inaugural performance at The Opera Room in Wilmington NC; June 21, 2021

Neon Belly: [L/R] PMattitude, Derek Gude, Lacie Jay, and Kevin Earl

Neon Belly (of GROW) live in concert at The Opera Room, June 21

Punk rockers -- Neon Belly -- who made their debut as part of the album GROW: A Compilation in Solidarity with Black Lives Matter are set to play their very first live concert at 6:00pm on Monday, June 21st at The Opera Room in Downtown Wilmington NC. In addition, Neon Belly drummer Derek Gude will be performing as Nice Derek (his solo project), plus Masked Manley + Cal Folger Day (both from Ireland) are also on the line-up!   You won't want to miss this show!

"Thanx one million times over for including us on GROW!" ~ Neon Belly