Wrexham Band ‘Neck Deep’ Sign To US Record Label

A Pop Punk band from Wrexham have been signed to a well-known American record label.

Neck Deep have been signed to California-based Hopeless Records, an independent record label that has signed some of the biggest names in the Pop Punk genre.

Now the five-piece band will be joining artists such as All Time Low, Enter Shikari and Taking Back Sunday on the reputable record label.

Vocalist Ben Barlow said: “It’s a dream come true, All any of us have ever wanted to do from a young age is play music for a living, and signing with Hopeless makes that possible.

“We were looking for record labels to release our debut album through, there were a few names tossed around here and there and we always said Hopeless would be perfect for us.

“Luckily they were interested, we had a Skype meeting and spoke about where we wanted to go with the band and how Hopeless could help us with that. We had a very good feeling about it from the off, Hopeless are a very artist friendly label, and we know we’re going to be looked after and we won’t be overlooked like we might be on a major label.”

Neck Deep formed in April 2012 when Ben and guitarist Lloyd Roberts decided that they wanted to start their own Pop Punk band. The pair had known each other a few years, with Ben having met Lloyd when he was the guitarist of local band, Spires.

Ben Barlow said: “Spires used to record at the top my house in my brother’s room, and that room has become a sort of ‘hub’ for Neck Deep since. We just finished recording our debut album there.”

Comprising of Ben, Lloyd Roberts, Matt West, Dani Washington and Fil Thorpe Evans, the band have already been branded ‘one of the UKs most exciting and fastest rising names’. After initially putting a few songs online last April, the band’s popularity has continued to grow at a rapid pace along with an increase in demand for songs.

Neck Deep define themselves as an outright Pop Punk band, but with a heavier, more lead/riff driven sound to the music. Taking inspiration from Pop Punk bands such as Green Day, New Found Glory and Sum 41, the band have gained hundreds of thousands of hits on their YouTube channel, with the most popular track being ‘A Part Of Me’, which has been viewed 437,657 times.

Ben said: “We all have different inspirations, we all like the same kind of music but we all have different favourite bands. We take inspiration from all genres and I think that shows with our sound. We’re all very energetic and passionate about the music we make so we make energetic, passionate music.”

On October 29 Neck Deep will be releasing their debut Album ‘Wishful Thinking, and fans have been told they can expect catchy songs about friendship, girls and tough times (to name a few!).

The album release will be followed by a tour next month, which will see Neck Deep play alongside bands such as Billy Talent, Enter Shikari, Coheed and Cambria and Rise Against when they perform at the ‘Warped Tour’ in London. Shortly after the Warped Tour, the band will be embarking on their first Australian tour, and will be playing shows in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane.

“Warped is like the stage to be playing at for bands like us.” said Ben, “It’s another dream come true, ever since we were kids Warped has always held some significance, it’s a big deal to us, we can’t wait.

“It’s crazy that we have the opportunity to go to another country the other side of the world to play our music and meet our fans and soak up that 40 degree heat. Our tour with The Wonder Years is just before so one week we’ll be wrapped up in our cold UK winter gear the next week we’ll be in shorts and t-shirts. We can’t wait, to be out on tour again will be amazing, but to be out on tour in a place like Australia will be surreal.”

The band have been overwhelmed by the worldwide support they have received over the past 18 months, and already it seems clear that they are destined for big things.

Ben said: “Never in a million years did I think that a few songs in my brother’s room in Rhostyllen would span the world and get the response it has. People really seem to connect with our music and as long as they can find a way they can relate then that’s the greatest thing we could ask for.

“We love connecting with our fans through social media and at shows, we’ll never be the band that overlooks their fans, we’ll always appreciate the love they show us because if it wasn’t for them we wouldn’t be where we are.”

To find out more (or listen to!) about Neck Deep, then you can visit their Facebook page or Youtube page for updates and news.