Johnny Rasheed (Moorad Choudhry) – vocals, acoustic guitar, bass
Shareef C – electric guitar
Dave Beech – bass
Joz (John Cadogan-Rawlinson) – vocals
Sara (Sarah Hughes) – drums
The New English were an English indie guitar-pop band from Surrey, active between 1986 and 1988. Known for their melodic songwriting and DIY aesthetic, the group performed regularly across London and other parts of England. The band made a single television appearance on BBC's ''Network East'' programme in August 1987.[1][2]
The origins of The New English trace back to December 1983, when vocalist and acoustic guitarist Johnny Rasheed (real name Moorad Choudhry) and guitarist Shareef C (real name unknown) formed a duo called ''Years of Backwater''. The group played one gig at The Swan in Kingston upon Thames in July 1984, before disbanding following technical issues with the drum and bass machines.[3]
In May 1985, Johnny Rasheed and Shareef reformed with bassist Dave Beech, a school friend from Kingston Grammar School, under the name ''The Fallen Idols'', and using a Korg drum machine. While they recorded several demo tapes, the trio never performed live. The group was renamed ''The New English'' in May 1986, shortly after which Dave Beech left the group. (Later on Johnny purchased Dave's bass and WEM amplifier). Rasheed subsequently assumed bass duties, and John Cadogan-Rawlinson ("Joz") was brought in as lead vocalist. Joz left after three performances to pursue a modelling career, and Rasheed resumed lead vocals.
Still recording demos with (now) a Sequential TOM drum machine, the group expanded in April 1987 with the addition of drummer Sara (real name Sarah Hughes). This lineup recorded two songs, "This Evening" and "Get Ready", for the BBC programme "Network East", although only "This Evening" was broadcast.[1]
Sara departed in September 1987, and the group reverted to performing live with a DX drum machine. Despite interest from independent labels, Subway Records and Go! Discs, The New English, were unable to secure a recording contract and disbanded in March 1988.
In February 1990, The New English reunited for a single performance at Bazooka in Bonn, Germany, organised by Rasheed's college friend Nik Slater. The set featured a stripped-back version of "Get Ready", with only guitar, bass and vocals.
In December 1991, Rasheed and Shareef reformed as a duo under the name ''The Internationalists'', performing acoustic sets without bass or drums. Active through 1993, the duo appeared on BBC Radio Berkshire in February 1992, although no known recording of the broadcast survives. Their final live performance took place at the Bracknell Festival in July 1997.
Between 1991 and 1993, Johnny Rasheed also played bass in a band called ''Those Meddling Kids'', alongside Andy Brown (vocals, guitar) and Andy Green (drums). The group performed throughout southeast England but disbanded without a record deal.
In April 1993, Rasheed recorded a solo album titled ''Inspiration'' for Jackfruit Music (catalogue number JRJF001) at Blockhouse Studios in Stratford, London.[4][5] The album featured contributions from various Berkshire musicians, including Robb Johnson, Aubrey Braithwaite, Simon Tarry (from The Rileys), George Whitfield (from Press Gang), and Gemma Townley (from Blueboy). These songs were released in May 1993 as an album entitled "Inspiration". The CD was deleted many years ago and is very rare. One track from the album, entitled "George Harrison", can be found here:[6]
