The Dorset, UK quintet sizzle with rage and frustration at the world while sparkling with joyous energy!
Following three albums and a reputation for their fiercely fun-filled live shows over the last decade, Black Water County are now ready to share their impassioned new EP ‘Second Best‘. Celebrating collective defiance and solidarity in the face of inequality and concentrated power, ‘Second Best‘ is set for release on 19th March 2026 via We Go To 11, the artist-focused sub-label of Trapped Animal Records.
Formed on St. Patrick’s Day 2013, Black Water County have come on leaps and bounds since their humble pub beginnings. Whilst the band’s early songs captured youthful rebellion and reckless fun, now their writing has evolved towards more introspective themes, but maintaining their distinctive punchy sound combining guitar from Bradley H-Clarke and banjo & mandolin from Gavin Coles with fiery dual lead vocals from Shan Byrom (who also contribures tin whistle) and Tim Harris (also on bass), along with Ollie Beaton on drums:
Tracing a journey from individual alienation to a shared resistance, each track on the collection explores a different emotional response to the state of society right now. Offering an impassioned rallying cry to all who may be feeling demoralised by the world, ‘Second Best‘ offers a much-needed catharsis and message of hope at a time when we need it the most. Of the EP, the band explain: “Whilst injustice can make you think that the only option is to be a recluse in this world, real change and personal libration ultimately emerge through unity and collective defiance!”
‘Second Best‘ is formed of songs that didn’t quite make the cut for other releases and were put back into the Black Water County back-burner, and are now ready to land on fresh ears; a reminder that things can go full circle – something once discarded might have just been waiting for the right time to be heard. And now is certainly the right time for us all to hear and seek comfort in these seething, empowering reflections.
First track on the EP is a lively, rousing cover of State Radio‘s ‘Knights of Bostonia‘ – and the Black Water County version adds serious steroids to the song! Superb vocal harmonies – as heard throughout the EP – and that cheery tin whistle over rockin’ guitars and drums make for a cracking opener!
Written about the instinct to withdraw from the world, ‘People’ begins acoustically, then blows up into a storm – who knew that a banjo could be played with so much punk attitude? “Cos history repeats itself when people never learn” is just one of many killer lines in the song.
The band pour forth their outrage at the widening gap between rich and poor in ‘Protestify’. In best Billy Bragg tradition, this number is just guitar and voice, and again its lyrics cut to the heart of the matter “We get 80 years approximately, give or take, So make it bearable for your sake. Let us live our lives for fuck’s sake!” and “See I’ve got a problem with money and greed, Where people with power and wealth take even more than they need.”
‘Wreckless’ is about the urge to break free from self-consciousness and live boldly! It’s a fiery stomper, with Tim and Shan‘s combined vocal assault soaring across the evocative and powerful instruments. Another engaging track which has you thinking about how you live your life..
‘Hellbent‘ is 52 seconds of instrumental ferocity, which shows how amazing these guys are – it’s hardcore folk-punk at 100mph!
Concluding the EP, ‘Questions’ was inspired by the rediscovery of solidarity as a source of strength – something many bands find as they play and tour together! This track was recorded live, and Black Water County have captured the full intensity of their wild performances within it. A rollercoaster of a song which provides a perfect snapshot of this band’s impressive capabilities.
Interweaving the fizzing pop-punk energy of the likes of Green Day and Offspring, with a gritty Celtic-inspired musicality in the vein of Flogging Molly and Dropkick Murphys, plus shades of the lilting folk-strewn spirit of Bellowhead, ‘Second Best‘ exemplifies the band’s ability to channel defiance, camaraderie and catharsis into a perfect fusion of punk passion and folk heart.
‘Second Best‘ drops on 19th March 2026 via We Go To 11 – pre-order your copy HERE
Catch Black Water County LIVE in Germany and the UK this month and throughout the year – dates and details HERE
Main Photo Credit: GEORGIA PENNY
- Knights of Bostonia
- People
- Protestify
- Wreckless
- Hellbent
- Questions (Live)
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