Neck Deep

Neck Deep

Neck Deep playing a VIP acoustic set in Cleveland, Ohio, US
Background information
Origin Wrexham, Wales, UK
Genres Pop punk
Years active 2012–present
Labels We Are Triumphant, Pinky Swear, Hopeless
Associated acts Spires, Climates
Website neckdeep.co
Members Ben Barlow
Fil Thorpe-Evans
Dani Washington
Matt West
Sam Bowden
Past members Lloyd Roberts

Neck Deep are a Welsh pop punk band from Wrexham who formed in 2012 when 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 guitarist Matt West, drummer Dani Washington, and bassist Fil Thorpe-Evans. They released a pair of EPs, Rain in July (2012) and A History of Bad Decisions (2013), before signing with Hopeless in August 2013. Following the release of Wishful Thinking in January 2014, the band became a full-time project, with the band members leaving their jobs or dropping out of university courses. Shortly after the release of Life's Not out to Get You in August 2015, Roberts left the band due to allegations of sexual misconduct, and Sam Bowden joined in his place.

History

Formation and EP releases (2012–13)

Vocalist Ben Barlow met lead guitarist Lloyd Roberts when Barlow's older brother, Seb, was recording the Wrexham hardcore band Spires that Roberts played in.[1] At the time, Ben Barlow wrote pop punk songs on his own for fun.[1] On 19 April 2012[2] the duo posted the song "What Did You Expect?" online under the name Neck Deep.[1] According to Roberts, Barlow "literally said, 'What about Neck Deep [as the band name]?' and that was that."[1] The name comes from the Crucial Dudes' song "Boom, Roasted".[3] "What Did You Expect?" soon gained attention online.[1] This resulted in the duo adding guitarist Matt West, who also played in Spires, and drummer Dani Washington, who was aware of Wrexham's local music scene.[1] Bassist Fil Thorpe-Evans joined shortly after leaving Lincoln post-hardcore band Climates.[1] "I Couldn't Wait to Leave 6 Months Ago " was posted online on 8 June.[4] On 11 June, it was announced the band had signed to US label We Are Triumphant.[5] The band recorded more songs with Seb Barlow in the attic of Ben's home.[1]

The band released an EP, Rain in July, in September 2012,[6] which gained the band even more attention from people.[1] According to Barlow, "People took notice and demanded that we play shows."[1] The band supported With the Punches and Me Vs Hero in the UK in December.[7] The 3 December date of tour was the band's live debut.[8] At their second show the band signed with a manager.[8] The band toured the UK supporting Hacktivist in February 2013.[9] Also in February the band released the A History of Bad Decisions EP as a "pay what you want" download.[10] The band and their tour manager went on a holiday to Florida.[11] The group ended up playing two shows that were "crazy and sold out and packed", according to Thorpe-Evans.[11] Videos of the shows ended up online, which were seen by Hopeless.[11] Hopeless got in contact with the band's manager who put the label in contact with the band.[11] The band signed to Hopeless in August 2013.[12] Being signed to the label was "a dream come true" for the band.[13]

Wishful Thinking, Life's Not out to Get You, line-up changes (2014–present)

The band released their debut album, Wishful Thinking, on 14 January 2014. Up until this point, the band was a "fun, part-time [entity]", according to Barlow.[14] With the release of the album, the band became a full-time thing, according to Barlow: "Fuck it, let's do this properly".[14] The success of the album resulted in Thorpe-Evans, West and Roberts quitting their jobs, Washington turning down a place at the Academy of Contemporary Music[15] and Barlow dropping out of university.[8] Following the release of Wishful Thinking, Neck Deep began 2014 with a full UK headline tour and also toured the UK as the main support for We Are the In Crowd, before a headline tour covering the US with Knuckle Puck and Light Years.[16] The band were announced to perform on 2014 edition of Vans Warped Tour.[17] The band's two EPs were remixed and remastered as part of the compilation Rain in July / A History of Bad Decisions, released on Hopeless on 17 June.[18] It was released to capitalize on the band's popularity at the time.[19] Barlow said that this compilation would be "definitive release of [these] songs".[20] The band hoped that the new fans that enjoyed Wishful Thinking "will enjoy the chance to check these songs out now that we've had a chance to improve how they sound!"[20] The band won the Kerrang! Award for Best British Newcomer 2014, beating nominees Blitz Kids, Bury Tomorrow, Lonely the Brave, and Decade.[21] The band will headline the Intercontinental Championships Tour, along with Knuckle Puck (USA), Seaway (Canada) and Trophy Eyes (Australia), and touring the UK. The tour is set to start January 2015 and run through February.[22] As of late 2014, they have entered the studio with producers Andrew Wade and Jeremy McKinnon to record their second album.

On 27 April 2015 the band made a post on their Facebook page consisting of nothing more than "Can't Kick Up the Roots. 12.05.15". This post turned out to be a song and the release date of 12 May. A few days later on 4 May the band made another Facebook post stating the name of their new album, Life's Not out to Get You, the release date of 14 August. On 10 May, "Can't Kick Up the Roots" was premiered on UK radio station BBC Radio 1 and was met with lots of praise by fans, with the band then stating that the song's music video and pre-orders for the album would be available on 12 May. The band will be playing all dates of the 2015 edition of Vans Warped Tour. On 19 July, "Gold Steps" was premiered live on Daniel P. Carter's BBC Radio 1 rock show. The album made No.10 on Billboard's Top Album Sales list, and the band made No. 67 on the Artist 100 list.

On 22 August 2015, allegations of sexual misconduct against guitarist Lloyd Roberts were made, in which Roberts was accused of sending inappropriate photos to an underage girl. The band responded that they were aware of the situation and asked for "a moment to get to the bottom of this."[23] A day later, they clarified that Roberts would be "stepping down" from the band as he did not want to tarnish the band's reputation as a result of these allegations.[24] On 13 October, Roberts released a statement which explained that the police had cleared him of the online allegation charges, stating that they "found no case". In the same statement, Roberts hinted that there are no plans for him to return to the band.[25] On 17 December, Sam Bowden, of Climates[26] and Blood Youth,[27] officially joined the band as Roberts' replacement.[28] In 2016, the band will embark on a co-headlining world tour with State Champs. The tour will hit countries ranging from Europe, Australia, Southeast Asia and North America. Support acts for various dates include Creeper, WSTR, Light Years, Knuckle Puck and Like Pacific.

Style and influences

Neck Deep have been described as pop punk.[29] Their sound has been described as a combination of New Found Glory, The Wonder Years, early Green Day and the Descendents.[29] Vocalist Ben Barlow has stated A Day to Remember as a massive influence on the band.[30] Fall Out Boy, New Found Glory, and Sum 41 have also been cited as influences.[31]

Discography

Main article: Neck Deep discography
Studio albums

Band members

Current members
Former members
Timeline

Awards

Kerrang! Awards
Year Nominee/work Award Result
2014 Neck Deep Best British Newcomer Won[32]
APMAs
Year Nominee/work Award Result
2016 Neck Deep Best Live Band Won[33]

References

Footnotes
    Citations
    1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Bird 2014, p. 59
    2. ↑ "What Did You Expect? - Neck Deep". Neck Deep. 19 April 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
    3. ↑ McMahon, ed. 2014, p. 24
    4. ↑ "I Couldn't Wait to Leave 6 Months Ago - Neck Deep". Neck Deep. 8 June 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
    5. ↑ "Neck Deep Media - Signing Announcement :: We Are Triumphant Records Sign Neck Deep". neckdeepmedia.com. 11 June 2012. Archived from the original on 14 August 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
    6. ↑ Wagner, Christian (17 September 2012). "Featured Stream: Neck Deep EP". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
    7. ↑ Kraus, Brian (5 November 2012). "Neck Deep releasing 'Rain In July' on vinyl, announce UK dates". Alternative Press. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
    8. 1 2 3 Bird 2014, p. 60
    9. ↑ Biddulph, Andy (11 January 2013). "Hacktivist, Neck Deep & Eager Teeth UK Tour". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
    10. ↑ Beringer, Drew (21 February 2013). "New Neck Deep EP Available". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
    11. 1 2 3 4 Neck Deep (2 June 2014). "Interview: Neck Deep take on the U.S." (Interview). Alternative Press. For the shows in Florida and signing with Hopeless: 8:09–36. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
    12. ↑ Gallo, Alexa (14 August 2013). "Neck Deep signs with Hopeless Records". idobi.com. Retrieved 19 May 2015.
    13. ↑ Hopeless Records (14 August 2013). "Hopeless Records Signs Neck Deep". hopelessrecords.com. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
    14. 1 2 Barlow 2015, p. 66
    15. ↑ Biddulph 2015 (203), p. 60
    16. ↑ Kraus, Brian (5 February 2013). "Neck Deep and Knuckle Puck announce tour EP". Alternative Press. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
    17. ↑ "Neck Deep Warped Tour 2014". Vans Warped Tour. 14 August 2013. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
    18. ↑ Bear, Alex (12 May 2014). "Neck Deep to re-release 'Rain In July' and 'A History of Bad Decisions'". idobi.com. Retrieved 19 May 2015.
    19. ↑ BenG (21 July 2014). "Review: Neck Deep - Rain In July / A History Of Bad Decisions (Album)". AltSounds. Archived from the original on 25 July 2014. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
    20. 1 2 "Neck Deep reissuing EPs as album". bigcheesemagazine.com. 19 May 2014. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
    21. ↑ "Winner of Best British Newcomer". Kerrang!. 12 July 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
    22. ↑ "NECK DEEP ANNOUNCE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIPS TOUR". Kerrang!. 20 August 2014. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
    23. ↑ Sharp, Tyler (22 August 2015). "Neck Deep respond to allegations". Alternative Press. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
    24. ↑ Sharp, Tyler (23 August 2015). "Neck Deep part ways with guitarist Lloyd Roberts after allegations". Alternative Press. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
    25. ↑ "Ex-Neck Deep guitarist: "Officers have found no case for me"". Alternative Press. 13 October 2015. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
    26. ↑ "Artery Recordings - Blood Youth".
    27. ↑ "Rock Sound - Sam Bowden".
    28. ↑ Emily (18 December 2015). "Sam Bowden Joins Neck Deep Permanently". Kerrang!. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
    29. 1 2 Tom (13 January 2014). "hmv tips for 2014… Neck Deep". HMV. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
    30. ↑ Biddulph 2015 (196), p. 40
    31. ↑ Monger, Timothy. "Neck Deep | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
    32. ↑ "Kerrang! Awards 2014 Twitter Announcement: Best British Newcomer". Kerrang! 12 July 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
    33. ↑ "Instagram photo by Alternative Press • Jul 19, 2016 at 1:10am UTC". Instagram. Retrieved 2016-07-21.
    Sources
    • Barlow, Ben (January 2015). Bird, Ryan, ed. "August". Rock Sound. London: Freeway Press Inc. (195). ISSN 1465-0185. 
    • Biddulph, Andy (February 2015). Bird, Ryan, ed. "The Sounds of 2015: Neck Deep". Rock Sound. London: Freeway Press Inc. (196). ISSN 1465-0185. 
    • Biddulph, Andy (Summer 2015). Bird, Ryan, ed. "Top of Their Class". Rock Sound. London: Freeway Press Inc. (203). ISSN 1465-0185. 
    • Bird, Ryan (September 2014). Bird, Ryan, ed. "Smokin' Aces". Rock Sound. London: Freeway Press Inc. (191). ISSN 1465-0185. 
    • McMahon, James, ed. (26 July 2014). "Always Meet Your Heroes!". Kerrang!. London: Bauer Media Group (1527). ISSN 0262-6624. 
    This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/16/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.