Neils Children are an English three-piece garage punk outfit who formed in 1999 at Harlow College in Essex, where members John Linger (guitar/vocals), Brandon Jacobs (drums) and Tom Hawkins (bass/vocals) were then studying. The band's name came from Linger's obsession with 1960s proto-punk band John's Children; 'Neil' was the nickname of bassist Hawkins. Primarily playing freakbeat-inspired music, the band performed several gigs on the London Mod scene as well as performing in the Harlow Square Rock Contest.