Derek Morris

Derek Anthony Morris aka Derek Morris or Dee Sebastian was a Singer/Songwriter who resided in Peckham, South London. The son of a military serviceman Derek grew up on a military base in West Germany. The family later moved back to the United Kingdom. Interested in Literature, Performance and Fine Arts Dee formed the band Electra Vogue in 1978 with Steve Sherlock on Saxophone and Electronics and himself on Guitar and Vocals. In 1977 Guitarist/Musician Steve Parry joined the band having seen an advert in the NME/Melody Maker requesting musicians into The Velvets/Experimentation etc. At the request of Steve Parry the band changed its name to Neu Electric (New Electronic Music) and later to the more kraut influenced Neu Electrikk. Rehearsals were later held and Barry Deller/Della became percussionist with Nick Hunt on Bass Guitar. Advertising their sound as ‘Surreal Modern Music’ performances were often heralded as chaotic, musical happenings, 4 minute songs often became 30 minutes of free improvisation. The band would take to the stage to the sound of industrial hammers, bird song, Frank Sinatra and John Cage. The band quickly established a cult following. John Peel became a supporter of the band and played their music on his BBC Radio show. For many years Derek supported his musical endeavours by working as a printer/plate maker for various publications. Following the demise of Neu Electrikk Dee Sebastian made various demos as a solo artist. There was talk of further demos with Keith Laws of The The and Jak Airport (Jack Stafford} of X-Ray Spex. Unfortunately unable to secure a record deal Derek dropped out of the music scene and was last heard of working under a different name as a Poet/Author.