Neurotic Outsiders
British-American rock supergroup formed in 1995.
Neurotic Outsiders was a British-American rock supergroup that came together in 1995. Its members included Steve Jones (Sex Pistols), Matt Sorum and Duff McKagan (Guns N' Roses), and John Taylor (Duran Duran). An earlier lineup had featured Billy Idol and Steve Stevens alongside McKagan and Sorum, but Idol and Stevens were soon replaced by Jones and Taylor.
The band began as a group of friends jamming at the Viper Room in Los Angeles. They released a single self-titled album on Maverick Records in September 1996, followed by a short tour of Europe and North America. The group disbanded in 1997 because members returned to other projects, though they reunited briefly in April 1999 for three shows at the Viper Room.
- Formed
- 1995
- Disbanded
- 1997
- Origin
- Los Angeles, California
- Genre
- Rock
- Label
- Maverick Records
- Notable members
- Steve Jones, Matt Sorum, Duff McKagan, John Taylor
Lore & Background
Neurotic Outsiders was formed when Matt Sorum recruited Steve Jones, Duff McKagan and John Taylor to play at a benefit at the Viper Room in Los Angeles in June 1995. The lineup soon began playing regularly at the venue, while friends of the band made guest appearances onstage, including Billy Idol, Iggy Pop, Chrissie Hynde, Ian Astbury and Mel C. The band was originally named Neurotic Boy Outsiders after an article in The Guardian that Taylor had read in the 1970s, but 'Boy' was dropped from the name at the request of Sorum and McKagan.
Reader's Guide
Neurotic Outsiders represents a brief but notable collaboration among musicians from three iconic rock bands of the 1970s and 1980s. Their self-titled album, produced by Jerry Harrison and recorded in six days, was met with little fanfare but praised for its musicianship. The band's significance lies in its spontaneous formation at the Viper Room and its role as a side project for members otherwise occupied with major acts. The group ceased to exist due to Jones participating in the Sex Pistols' reunion and McKagan focusing on Guns N' Roses. A brief reunion in 1999 for three shows at the Viper Room marked their final activity.
Did You Know?
- The first line-up featured Billy Idol and Steve Stevens, but they were soon replaced by Steve Jones and John Taylor.
- The band was given one million dollars by Maverick Records to record their album.
- Their final release was the EP Angelina in 1997.
More in Band Members & Collaborators
Elsewhere in Guns N Roses
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