Brooks and Peake shared the songwriting, with Brooks displaying a more classic pop sensibility while Peake was more unconventional as a self-proclaimed non-musician. Carefully chosen covers, including ‘Ballad of a Thin Man’, ‘Rain’ and ‘The Beat Goes On’, were an integral part of their live show. Soundman Fred Kramer was the band’s fourth member, adding special effects and tape treatments to their mixes. 

The first Newtones recording was the sole South Island contribution to Propeller’s Class of 81 compilation. ‘My Way’, an original, featured their soon-to-be characteristic flanged guitars and overdubs. A four-track single followed in May 1981 and caused industry consternation when it reached No.13 on the NZ Singles Chart. Its "White Album" inspired cover came in six different colours and was the work of artist Robin Neate.

Visuals were an important Newtones component. Peake designed their posters, and the band included a number of artists and filmmakers in their immediate circle. A second single, ‘My World’/ 'Incidentally Dreaming’, was self-released in February 1982, but a third never eventuated (although the projected A-side ‘All Around The World’ later appeared on Failsafe's Accident compilation).

Brooks went on to play in Murder Incorporated and The White Boys. Peake helped set up Zanzibar, one of Christchurch’s first clubs, where he also DJ'd before returning to Australia. He died in 2010. 

In February 2026, the restored hi-res video for 'Paint The Town Red' was uploaded online before the March 2026 release of New Way 1980/82, a collection of the band's singles and unreleased tracks via Rob Mayes' Failsafe Records.