fav smaller uk bands!!

i'm always into digging up and finding music - especially more niche bands that've either been forgotten, no one talks about, or just lost to time.. usually uk bands as that's where i'm from!! i'm not great at summarizing or naming genres or anything, so this list might be kinda shit. i just like the music and want to talk about it to hopefully get others into them :)

most of the bands mentioned are connected in some way (other projects of members, friends, toured together, stuff like that) & it's a mix of old and newer acts. enjoy!

- the blackout (not exactly unknown, just my fav band & i wanna mention them)

post-hardcore from merthyr tydfil, wales -- 2003-2015, got back together 2022.

toured with: my chemical romance, pierce the veil, the used, funeral for a friend, attack attack, from first to last, kids in glass houses

fav release: the blackout! the blackout! the blackout! (EP, 2006)

fav song(s): i'm a riot? you're a fucking riot! // the beijing cocktail // STFUppercut

youtube - spotify - instagram

- when reason sleeps

melodic / post-hardcore from merthyr tydfil, wales -- broke up in 2005.

members went on to join the blackout, the guns, and jump the underground

fav release: this bullet makes us equal (album, 2004) (their only album)

fav song(s): words can kill // lifetakers and heartbreakers

youtube

- raiders uk (features sean smith & james davies of the blackout)

not sure on genre specifics? similar to sean's past bands but slightly heavier -- 2019-present

fav release: cold eyes / dead hearts (EP, 2025)

fav song(s): cry wolf // one down // vnnvcvssvry vs

youtube - spotify - instagram

- nightlives

cyberpunk metalcore from cardiff, wales - 2018-present

fav release: dead land (album, 2022)

fav song(s): hypemachine // dead land // (chemical) glow

youtube - spotify - instagram

- ispystrangers

rock / post-hardcore from birmingham, uk -- 2007-2011(ish)

only their second album is available on their personal band accounts, their first album is available on youtube -> here <- though as someone's cd rip :)

fav release: the kind of dirty you can't wash off (album, 2011)

fav song(s): hide and seek // i am the next john travolta // for humor and hope

youtube - soundcloud

- fangs out (fronted by mikey white of ispystrangers)

hardcore from the west midlands, uk -- 2020-present

fav release: curse words (EP, 2020)

fav song(s): '86 death cult classic // gory // hex fiend

youtube - spotify - instagram

- fearless vampire killers

alternative rock from london, uk -- 2008-2016, got back together 2022.

they were previously more well known, featured a lot in kerrang and other places but kind of fell under the radar after their initial breakup :(

toured with: black veil brides, in this moment, tonight alive, chiodos, madina lake, aiden

fav release: militia of the lost (album, 2012)

fav song(s): braindead // all hallows evil // neon in the dance halls

youtube - spotify - instagram

- inklings (kier kemp of fearless vampire killers)

indie pop rock from london, uk -- 2016-2021

toured with idkhow but they found me in 2019

fav release: is this who you are? (EP, 2020)

fav song(s): sertraline

youtube - spotify

- the dead lay waiting

deathcore / metalcore from swindon, uk -- 2008-2013

toured with: fearless vampire killers, black veil brides, bleed from within

fav release: we rise (2010)

fav song(s): blind preacher // 5OS // you look better when you're dead

important note: content surrounding TDLW refers to the singer lucy lucas under her deadname, as the band broke up long before she transitioned.

youtube - spotify 

- solace in nightmares (fronted by lucy lucas of the dead lay waiting)

alt rock from the south west, uk -- 2014-2017

less heavy than TDLW, more melodic and sort of cabaret in some songs.

fav release: secrets (EP, 2015)

fav song(s): la danse macabre // succubus // the sinphony

youtube

- my favourite pornstar

screamo from newport, wales -- 2005-2010(ish?)

toured with bands such as: the blackout, aiden, the used, gallows, rise against

fav song(s): not another code red // dirtiest player in the game

no direct youtube page, but theres a bunch of songs -> here <-

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i've already spent WAY too long on this so i'll add to it as i go :) 

PLEASE send recs my way if you have any!!