Ever heard of Neverland? If you have you’re most likely a Moody Blues or Bill and Ted fan. No matter how much support these guys had, they just couldn’t seem to climb the charts like they should have. Their song on the Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey soundtrack, ‘Drinking Again’, is one of the best from the era. And the music video should have given the group a much more significant bump. One of the issues of course is the all encompassing element of timing. They are after all another late 80’s/early 90’s Aerosmith influenced band. Like countless others at the time. But these guys set themselves apart from the pack with strong, different song writing. As opposed to trying to deliberately fit in with a certain scene. Their debut album on Interscope records is absolutely stunning. One track after another of hard, stripped down rock that’s as melodic and fun as it is serious. But the album was released in 1991. When all bands who had any resemblance to anything fun started to be considered uncool. However, Neverland wasn’t really a glam band in the true sense of the genre. Yes, Dean Ortega’s voice is closer to Vince Neal than that of Kurt Cobain. But other than Ortega’s voice, the band really resembles more of a Mother Love Bone or early Alice In Chains than Ratt or Motley Crue. Another element I found interesting is that this band tries to break out of the traditional ABACAB formula. Instead they have extended jams, minor time-changing moments that may finish the song instead of the chorus. On top of that, they really stretch what kinds of keys and guitar chords are traditionally used in this facet of rock. You can hear guitarist Patrick Sugg really trying to create something different. What should have been a top ten smash hit, ‘Mama Says’, is a perfect example of that. Also notice the strings that are used in the chorus. Today it’s a really common move. But at the time, there weren’t a lot of rock bands placing strings in their arrangements. The Cult did it, but that’s about it.
This is hands down, one of the most underrated bands to grace the record industry. I’m talking King’s X underrated here. In fact, maybe even more so. At least King’s X has a Wikipedia page. At least you can find King’s X albums on I-tunes. I can’t find anything on this band. It’s like they completely disappeared off the face of the Earth. I looked them up on i-tunes and I got a bunch of crappy trap-rap music and gaming apps. Wikipedia them and you’ll find a band from Japan called Neverland. Clearly not the group being discussed in this forum. Even when I Google imaged them to find a featured image for this article I only found two photos: Their debut album cover and the inside sleeve photo. And that’s after typing in ‘Neverland (American band)’ into the search bar. The only thing I could find online was their album on Amazon and the songs from it uploaded onto Youtube. Courtesy of Dean Ortega. THANKS DEAN!! They may not have the originality of a band like King’s X but they certainly have a quality that sets them apart from the pack. And that’s enough to dig into the internet and seek out this timeless band.
Bill and Ted theme song riff.
A missed top 10 hit. The strings in the chorus would become a staple for bands in the years to come.
Strong music video. Should have been more of a hit but the market was changing. I think people listened with their eyes instead of their ears.
You’re right. I only came to hear of them via Bill and Ted but I loved this album. I’ve a vague recollection that they may have played off the back of a truck as part of the Halloween parade in NYC but it was a long time ago and I may have had a drink or two! I have one other track by them “Talking to Alice” that was equally awesome that came on a compilation CD
Such an underrated band.
I’ve gone through countless cassettes and cds of this band! They were on a Fresno radio station as I was driving into town, they were playing downtown somewhere and I could have gotten in with a couple cans of fruits and veggies. I also found Tribe of Gypsies with Dean Ortega singing lead, but nothing like Neverland.
The true potential for Neverland was only beginning to shine and ended due to what corporate thought was music. Thanks Nirvana. There was plenty of room for Neverland to be marketed along side of Alice In Chains , Soundgarden etc…I enjoy a wide range of music. I still have my original CD of Neverland and listen to it wondering how they would have progressed . With glam bands still touring with some success! it’s too bad we can’t get another taste of Neverland ! Dean … write , play, sing release !!! Please !
So so true
I remember getting the Bogus Journey soundtrack (big Megadeth fan) and LOVED Drinking Again. Some of the other stand out tracks for me were Mama Said, Cry All Night and Runnin’ On. I can only find it on cd or on youtube.
Absolute killer record! Took me 20 years to find the CD again (Thank you Internets). Also, for some reason I thought the original copy I had in 91 had a killer cover of Gimme Shelter from the Stones on it. Am I crazy? Mandela effect?
When I was in high school, I searched every record store on Long Island for this disc! Impossible to find!! I finally found it in a sales bin for 99cents at uncle Phil’s on sunrise, but I would have paid top $$$!!!
I saw them as the opening act for The Moody Blues at Irvine Meadows Ampitheatre back in ’91. I went out the next day and bought the CD, which I still have!!
hell yeah, it’s such a good album. Just such an overlooked band. As there are from the era.
I am listening to the vinyl right now and I was trying to find out more about the band but couldn’t find anything about them besides this post. I totally agree with Alex. Great album and underrated band
There is a second album (Surreal World), but with a different singer (Bump instead of Dean Ortega).
Neverland also appeared on the soundtrack of the 1992 movie “The Cutting Edge” with Cry All Night.
A group of us went to the Ventura Theater in 1991 to see The Divynals (I Touch Myself) for a friend’s birthday. She liked the Divynals and had the album. Neverland was the second to last opening act, and the first and third acts were horrible. Many of us loved the songs we heard by Neverland and thought it was the highlight of the night. We were sure the band would blow up. We bought the CDs in the lobby, and expected them to blow up, but then the tidal wave of grunge rock washed them off the ladder of success. I streamed the album from my own collection at work today. It’s still so good! Like, “I want to replay that song I just heard, but the next one started, and it’s so good too!” That’s how good.
It still rocks!! Had a boot leg copy from a friend that knew them in LA! Still have it??
Remember seeing and meeting Dean as they were opening up for KIX at the legendary HAMMERJACKS IN Baltimore MD. Back in the early 90s.
They were crazy cool !!!!!! Still listening to them all the time one of my top 10 albums in my Playlist. Thanks for the Kick ass rocken show at hammerjacks
You kicked ass. Sincerely ken woods.
It’s such a great album. Love it to the core. My sister actually lives in Baltimore. Hammerjacks is still standing.
I was at that! Lol. July 4th, 1991! My friends and I drove from Jersey to see KiX on their “home turf”. Great night! It’s online. I watch it often
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JG4u4-sgIG4&ab_channel=SteveOlsen
I first learned of them after seeing them a bunch of times with KiX on their Hot Wire tour. Needless to say, they totally blew me away. Bought the album, turned a bunch of people on to it. Then, what happened in music… happened. Sadly, SO many really good bands like Neverland, Electric Angels, Heaven’s Edge and lots more came along just a little too late. If Neverland and the aforementioned bands released albums five years earlier, they would’ve been much bigger.
Love this band. Amazing album top to bottom. There seems to be a lot of bands that fell through the cracks in this time period. Seattle really did a number on the music scene.
I love Neverland as well! I’ve actually purchased the CD twice recently because I thought I lost the original. Such great songs. I wish we had more releases from the band to enjoy.
Great band and musicians AND a great bunch of guys! I was in AOR radio in the Midwest n first met them at the annual McGathy music convention in NY. We hung out for a couple days. (Classic RnR party stories!) Did my best to help with their promotion n added them to our playlist but Interscope records didn’t really give them a chance. Interscope pushed Primus instead. They did a tour opening for the Moody Blues which was fun to see! I have often wondered about the guys n what they’re up to today.
I was a student at UCSB (University of California, Santa Barbara) and from time to time they would have bands play at Storke Plaza in front of the UCEN around lunchtime. I was lucky enough to see Neverland play there. I had no idea who they were. They blew me away. They had this vibe and groove that I hadn’t heard in rock for many years. Luckily, I had some cash on me to buy their cd right there and then. I played it all the time. Every track a winner. I tried to learn all the guitar parts from it. It is still great after all these years.