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Neck Deep

Neck Deep are a Welsh pop-punk band from Wrexham, formed in 2012. They released a pair of EPs, Rain in July (2012) and A History of Bad Decisions (2013), before signing with Hopeless in August 2013.

Neck Deep

Wrexham, Wales

2012–present

  • Ben Barlow
  • Matt West
  • Sam Bowden
  • Seb Barlow
  • Matt Powles
  • Lloyd Roberts
  • Fil Thorpe-Evans
  • Joshua Halling
  • Dani Washington

Neck Deep was founded after vocalist Ben Barlow met former lead guitarist Lloyd Roberts; the pair posted a song ("What Did You Expect?") online under the name Neck Deep. The song soon gained attention online, resulting in the addition of rhythm guitarist Matt West, drummer Dani Washington/Abasi, and bassist Fil Thorpe-Evans.


Following the release of their debut album Wishful Thinking in January 2014, the band became a full-time project, with the band members leaving their jobs and/or dropping out of university courses. Shortly after the release of their second album Life's Not out to Get You in August 2015, Roberts left the band due to allegations of sexual misconduct (which he was subsequently found to have no case to answer),[1] and Sam Bowden (formerly of Climates and Blood Youth) joined in his place. The group's third album The Peace and the Panic was released August 2017, and debuted at No. 4 on the US Billboard 200. In September 2018, Thorpe-Evans left the band to pursue a solo career as a producer. In 2019, the band embarked in a summer tour with Blink-182 as the opening act. By February 2020, the band added longtime collaborator and bassist Seb Barlow as an official member; later that month, they also revealed an app with a variety of multimedia regarding the announcement of their fourth album, titled All Distortions Are Intentional, released 24 July 2020. Their self-titled fifth album was released on 19 January 2024.

Musical style and influences[edit]

Neck Deep is a pop-punk band.[43] Their sound has been described as being reminiscent of Blink-182, New Found Glory, the Wonder Years, Green Day, and the Descendents.[43] Vocalist Ben Barlow has stated A Day to Remember and Architects as a massive influence on the band.[44] The early Fall Out Boy work and Sum 41 have also been cited as influences.[45]

In popular culture[edit]

Neck Deep has had two "Music Kits" included in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. The Life's Not Out to Get You music kit was released on 8 November 2016,[46] and The Lowlife Pack music kit was released on 18 March 2021.[46] The Lowlife Pack music kit includes selections from All Distortions are Intentional.[46]

Ben Barlow – lead vocals (2012–present)

Matt West – rhythm guitar (2012–present)

Sam Bowden – lead guitar (2015–present)

Seb Barlow – bass guitar, backing vocals (2020–present)

Matt Powles – drums (2023–present, touring 2022–2023)

Current members


Former members


Former touring members


Timeline

(2014)

Wishful Thinking

(2015)

Life's Not out to Get You

(2017)

The Peace and the Panic

(2020)

All Distortions Are Intentional

(2024)

Neck Deep

Studio albums

Official website