Neo Noir

“...arguably the greatest ‘lost’ London band of the post-punk years.” Louder than war

Having spent the eighties frequently populating the indie charts and making a name for themselves within the post-punk scene off the back of their 1981 album Wild and Wandering, Wasted Youth reformed in 2022. Joining original members Ken Scott and Rocco Barker (also ex-Flesh For Lulu), new recruits Josef Rosam, Sabrina Amade and Alan Temple now make up the full line-up and are ready to unleash their long-awaited second album into the world.

With their debut often referenced as an “overlooked classic” they have worked with legends such as Martin Hannett (Joy Division) and Peter Perrett (The Only Ones). Ken and Rocco have led very ‘colourful’ lives (to put it mildly) but have come through it all with youthful vigour and enthusiasm very much intact.

Recorded over several sessions between June 2024 and January 2025, new album Neo Noir brings together diverse elements of the band’s expansive sound over the years; from the fierce dark energy of their infamous live shows, to the more contemplative and introspective reflections of their recent work.

Whilst continuing to pay homage to their roots, they are in no way a nostalgia act and continue to develop their sound, embracing an innovative sonic evolution.

Wasted Youth initially reformed in 2022 for a couple of low-key gigs, but when tickets sold- out within minutes of going on sale, it became clear that there was still a demand. Since then, they have been touring the UK including dates with the Psychedelic Furs, Pop Will Eat Itself and Festivals such as Wide Awake and Rebellion. Now, keen to continue building on this success and the acclaim that their ‘80s debut received (selling an excess of 25,000 copies), they are excited to share the innovative sonic creations of Neo Noir. Never ones to fit into a mould, this genre-bending band continue to merge elements of post-punk, art-rock and psychedelia to create a sound that’s truly their own; a beautifully timeless controlled chaos built on pulsating rhythms and a heartfelt introspection.