Not every band we stumble across gets the full deep-dive Echo Rebel treatment, but that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve some love. The underground is stacked with acts carving their own path, each with their own story, sound, and spark. In this round-up, we shine the spotlight on three very different projects each worth your attention for what they’re bringing to the table right now, and what’s still to come.
Blank Xpression (Guildford, UK)
New Wave Punk Rock
Blank Xpression first made waves between 1980 and 1982, carving out their place in the UK scene with raw energy and a demo produced by none other than Phil Collins with drummer Stuart Barnett even borrowing Phil’s legendary “In the Air Tonight” kit for the session. Their history also includes a stint as Special Guests for The Jam on the Trans Global Express Tour, which speaks volumes about their credibility.
Now in 2025, Barnett has reignited the fire with a brand-new lineup: Rich H (guitar), Greg Buss (keys), and Matty Smith (vocals/bass). Together they’ve breathed fresh life into the Blank Xpression legacy, keeping the spirit of classic punk alive.
Why check them out? Their five-track EP is raw, no-nonsense punk the kind that feels authentic to the genre’s roots. It’s rough around the edges in all the right ways, and while it didn’t quite demand a full Echo Rebel deep-dive this time, it’s a strong showing. Definitely a band we’ll be keeping an eye on.
Next Day Shakes (South Wales Valleys, UK)
Rock / Blues / Alt Shed Rock
Born in the heart of the South Wales Valleys, Next Day Shakes are a four-piece powerhouse built on thunderous riffs, pounding drums, and raw blues-soaked vocals. Together they craft a wall of sound that’s gritty, unpredictable, and loaded with attitude.
Their debut EP Head Above (2023) showcased the first three tracks they ever wrote as a band songs that remain setlist staples to this day, proving their staying power. While those releases are now a couple of years old, they still capture the energy and drive that define the band’s live performances.
Why check them out? With their first full-length album currently in the works and set for release towards the end of 2025, Next Day Shakes are gearing up for their next big chapter. Their past material laid the foundations, but it’s what’s coming next that really has us paying attention.
House of Warwick (UK)
Progressive Rock / Multi-Genre Experimentation
House of Warwick is the passion project of a seasoned musician who’s spent over 20 years moving in and out of bands. After stepping back from the live scene in 2017 at the same time his wife became disabled and his career took a new direction the focus shifted to recording at home. What began as a one-off personal album quickly became an ongoing creative outlet, a form of therapy through sound.
House of Warwick experiments across genres the artist never had the chance to play in previous bands, resulting in music that’s eclectic, thoughtful, and rooted in pure love for the craft. There’s no expectation, no agenda just a songwriter creating because creating is what they do.
Why check them out? While the project leans heavily into prog elements and the drums carry an overly processed edge, there’s no denying the wealth of ideas and musical vision at play. It’ll be interesting to see how House of Warwick develops, especially if live collaborators come into the picture. Until then, the DIY spirit keeps this music alive.
Final Thoughts
Three artists, three very different approaches. Blank Xpression are keeping punk’s fire alive with raw energy and a legendary past, Next Day Shakes are building towards something much bigger with a debut album on the horizon, and House of Warwick reminds us that music can be therapy first and foremost.
That’s what we love most about digging through the underground every band has a story worth telling. Keep these names on your radar, because you never know who’s about to drop your next favourite track.
