One of the pioneers of the punk movement is swapping his guitar and amp for mole grips and spanners with the launch of his new book, which will help trainee plumbers, and heating engineers gain valuable qualifications.
Gateshead born, Neville Atkinson also known as Nevilluxury began his trade career as a young apprentice mechanical services engineer in the Mary Harris factory in Team Valley before working in Swan Hunters shipyard and at a chemical plant in Berger Chemicals
Taking time out to find his creative self, Neville travelled to Asia where he applied his time to the study of music. The talented guitarist has a very distinctive style of playing which came into its own during the formative years of punk.
In 1976, Neville teamed up with three other Tyneside musicians to form post punk band, Punishment of Luxury who were named after an 1891 painting by Giovanni Segantini. The painting now hangs in the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool.
The band released an album in 1979, Laughing Academy, which received great critical acclaim, and they enjoyed success in both the UK and Europe. Following a period of some 30 years, the band reformed in 2007 and have recently released a new five track EP simply entitled “5”.
In between gigs, Neville now lectures plumbing techniques at Great Yarmouth College and writes complex technical manuals and books including his new City and Guilds textbook which he co authored with Michael Maskray who lectures at Doncaster College.
The City and Guilds textbook takes trainee-heating engineers step by step through the Level 3 NVQ Diploma in plumbing and heating. The book is illustrated with clear photographs and information that covers all the knowledge and skills needed to gain best practice in plumbing.
“I’ve been a plumbing engineer for as long as I’ve been a professional musician and I hope that my passion for engineering is conveyed in the book, ” said Neville.
“I enjoy creative writing as well as technical and of course, I still play and have great memories of my musical experiences, but I also look back with fondness at billowing steam from railway locomotives, huge gasometers and gas fired wash boilers. If I can help a youngster develop that same passion for plumbing from studying my book I will be a happy man.”
Neville Atkinson AKA Luxury now lives in Norwich, Norfolk . He visits the North East regularly to meet up with his family and members of Punishment of Luxury.
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Photo shows Neville Atkinson with his book
Other photos available on request
More Information from Keith Newman at Highlights Public Relations on 07814 397951