Unfinished Business With BEN BARLOW From NECK DEEP

Interview by Kris Peters
In the little over a decade since Neck Deep formed in the Barlow
brothers’ spare room in Wrexham, Wales, a lot has changed. From the
scrappy, naively hopeful beginnings that define the starting of so
many teenage bands, the pop-punks have gone on to be one of British
Rock music’s most successful global exports in recent memory: top 5
records in both the US and UK, global touring, viral hits and over
a billion streams just some of the fruits of ten years spent
mastering their craft.
For the new self-titled record, the band, completed by Ben’s older
brother and bassist Seb, guitarists Matt West and Sam Bowden and
drummer Matt Powles, took ‘doing their own thing’ – and only their
own thing – to the next level. Eschewing a keen list of
collaborators and producers eager to work with one of rock’s
hottest properties and choosing, instead, to write and record in
their own warehouse space, mere miles from where they grew up. Old
school, just like it used to be.
This April Australian fans get to taste the excitement, when Neck
Deep return for The Dumbstruck Dumbf!*k Tour with special guests
Albany New York pop punk act State Champs.
HEAVY caught up with Neck Deep vocalist Ben Barlow for an
entertaining chat ahead of the tour. It's been a couple of years
since their last visit, so we start off by asking what has changed
with Neck Deep since then.
"Not much, I don't think," he measured. "But we're very settled
into this record, very settled into playing these songs live now.
We're approaching the - or I think we're in the 10-year anniversary
year of our seminal breakout record, Life's Not Out To Get You. And
so, yeah, doing little bits and bobs with that and just planning
ahead for the future still, you know, thinking forward even to the
next record. Getting the ball moving with that."
Then Barlow was struck with a sudden realization he may have
forgotten something important.
"Oh, actually, what's changed?" he asked me in return. "Bloody
hell, I got married this year, which is very nice (laughs)!"
In the full interview, we discussed Neck Deep's upcoming tour in
Australia, set to begin on April 21, while reflecting on their
experiences since their last visit. Ben shared insights into the
celebration of the 10-year anniversary of their breakout album
Life's Not Out To Get You. He highlighted the band's positive
dynamics and their excitement for new music, acknowledging the need
to promote their self-titled album while also focusing on future
projects. The conversation touched on their writing process, with
Ben noting that they prefer to create music at home but are open to
inspiration while on the road.
We also delved into the song Dumbstruck Dumbfuck, which Ben
described as a humorous take on modern masculinity and
relationships. They emphasized the high-energy yet sentimental
nature of Neck Deep's live performances, expressing enthusiasm
about touring with State Champs due to their close friendship and
compatible musical styles, and more.
Full interview www.youtube.com/@HEAVYmagazine


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