''A History of Bad Decisions'' is the second EP by Welsh

pop punk Pop punk (or punk pop) is a rock music genre that combines elements of punk rock with power pop or pop. It is defined for its emphasis on classic pop songcraft, as well as adolescent and anti-suburbia themes, and is distinguished from other pu ...

band

Neck Deep Neck Deep are a Welsh pop punk band from Wrexham, Wales formed in 2012. Founded after vocalist Ben Barlow met former lead guitarist Lloyd Roberts, the pair posted a song ("What Did You Expect?") online under the name Neck Deep. The song soon ga ...

, released 19 February 2013, following up their first EP ''

Rain in July ''Rain in July'' is the first EP by Welsh pop punk band Neck Deep. Background and production Vocalist Ben Barlow met lead guitarist Lloyd Roberts when Barlow's older brother, Seb, was recording the Wrexham hardcore band Spires that Roberts playe ...

''.

Background and production

Vocalist Ben Barlow met guitarist Lloyd Roberts when Barlow's older brother, Seb, was recording the Wrexham hardcore band Spires that Roberts played in. At the time Barlow wrote pop punk songs for fun.Bird 2014, p. 59 The duo posted the song "What Did You Expect?" online under the name Neck Deep. The song soon gained attention online. This resulted in the duo adding guitarist Matt West, who also played in Spires, and drummer Dani Washington, who was aware of Wrexham's local music scene. Bassist Fil Thorpe-Evans joined shortly after leaving Lincoln post-hardcore band Climates. The band recorded more songs with Seb Barlow in the attic of Ben's home, dubbed Celestial Recordings. The band released an EP, ''

'', in September 2012, which gained the band even more attention from people. According to Barlow, "People took notice and demanded that we play shows." The band supported With the Punches and

Me Vs Hero Me Vs Hero were a British rock band from Blackpool, Lancashire, England. The band consisted of lead vocalist Sam Thompson, bassist Michael Booth, guitarists Bobby Pook and Grant Berry and drummer Simon Smith. The band were known for their incl ...

in the UK in December. In January 2013, the band recording the ''A History of Bad Decisions'' EP at Celestial Recordings. The recordings were then mixed by Michael Fossenkemper at Turtletone Studios. "Up in Smoke" details when Barlow was kicked out of university and for being a stoner, which is where the title comes from. Barlow said he was kicked out as he was not attending lectures, which he missed due to tours with the band.

Release and reception

On 21 February 2013, the band released the EP as a "pay what you want" download. The band toured the UK supporting

Hacktivist In Internet activism, hacktivism, or hactivism (a portmanteau of '' hack'' and '' activism''), is the use of computer-based techniques such as hacking as a form of civil disobedience to promote a political agenda or social change. With roots in h ...

in February 2013. The EP was remixed and remastered as part of the compilation ''Rain in July / A History of Bad Decisions'', released on Hopeless on 17 June 2014. It was released to capitalize on the band's popularity at the time. Vocalist Ben Barlow said that this compilation would be "definitive release of hesesongs". The band hoped that the new fans that enjoyed ''

Wishful Thinking Wishful thinking is the formation of beliefs based on what might be pleasing to imagine, rather than on evidence, rationality, or reality. It is a product of resolving conflicts between belief and desire. Methodologies to examine wishful think ...

'' "will enjoy the chance to check these songs out now that we've had a chance to improve how they sound!" Andy Ritchie of ''

Rock Sound ''Rock Sound'' is a British magazine that covers rock music. The magazine aims at being more "underground" and less commercial, while also giving coverage to better-known acts. It generally focuses on pop punk, post-hardcore, metalcore, punk, e ...

'' wrote that the EP's length doesn't provide "much in terms of listening capacity", but shows the band's progression since their ''Rain in July'' EP.Ritchie 2013, p. 99 He named "Tables Turned" and "Head to the Ground" as "sonic proof" of the band's capability to compose "catchy songs with heart and soul."

Track listing

Personnel

Personnel adapted from the booklet/sleeve of the ''Rain in July / A History of Bad Decisions'' compilation. ;Neck Deep * Ben Barlow – vocals * Lloyd Roberts – lead guitar * Fil Thorpe-Evans – bass * Matt West – rhythm guitar * Dani Washington – drums ;Production * Sebastian Barlow – producer, engineer * Michael Fossenkemper – mastering * Peter O'Toole – 'Tiger' illustration

References

Citations Sources * * *

External links

''A History of Bad Decisions''
at

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(streamed copy where licensed) {{DEFAULTSORT:History of Bad Decisions Neck Deep EPs 2013 EPs