British post-punk trio New Model Army took their name from Oliver Cromwell's antiroyalist military force, and released their first album, VENGEANCE-THE INDEPENDENT STORY, in 1984. The ferocious punk attack and staunchly left political views heard on that album were qualities that would define the band through their career well into the 2000s. New Model Army stood out from their contemporaries with their poetic, socially committed lyrics and knack for melody and, on later albums, their explorations of acoustic, folk-oriented material (they sometimes add violin or harmonica players to their basic line-up). in addition to a steady stream of albums, including NO REST FOR THE WICKED (1985), THUNDER AND CONSOLATION (1989), and CARNIVAL (2005), New Model Army tour constantly and have a devoted fan base called "The Family."