#149 Ben Barlow (Neck Deep): Punk Pop, Fame, Skateboarding, Identity & Living Life on Your Own Terms

Jan 18, 2026

Ben Barlow, the frontman of Welsh pop-punk band Neck Deep, dives into skate culture's profound impact on his identity. He shares how authenticity drove the band's rise from DIY beginnings to global fame, capturing the struggles between fame and mental health. Barlow discusses the emotional weight behind hits like 'Life's Not Out To Get You' and emphasizes the importance of genuine expression in a world dominated by trends and AI. He reflects on the sacrifices of touring, the comfort of family, and the need for authentic connections in life and music.

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ANECDOTE

Skateparks Shaped His Worldview

Ben Barlow grew up in skateparks and credits skate culture with shaping his values and sense of normality.
He learned to value living on his own terms and avoid a traditional desk job from that environment.

ANECDOTE

DIY Beginnings Sparked Instant Traction

Neck Deep started DIY with Ben recording songs in his brother Seb's attic and posting online.
Their first song “What Did You Expect?” gained instant traction and launched the band's career.

INSIGHT

Authenticity Beats Trend Chasing

Authenticity cuts through trend-saturated culture because no one else can be you.
Ben argues human-made art will remain valued even as AI proliferates similar outputs.

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Ben Barlow is the lead vocalist of Neck Deep — the Welsh pop-punk band formed in Wrexham in 2012 that’s become one of Britain’s biggest modern rock exports. Neck Deep are one of my favourite bands

In this episode of Origin Story, we do it properly: in a skatepark — because skate culture and pop-punk aren’t aesthetics… they’re a philosophy. Ben talks about growing up in skateparks, why “living on your own terms” became his whole life assignment, and how the band went from posting “What Did You Expect?” online to global tours, viral hits, and over a billion streams.

We go deep on authenticity vs trends, attention as currency, and why subculture feels like it’s dying — then we zoom right in again: what fame does to young men, how Ben avoided the “rockstar trap,” and the real costs of life on the road (including the moments you miss that don’t show up on Instagram).

And then the episode turns into the stuff fans actually care about: the emotional engine behind the early songs, how Life’s Not Out To Get You became a lifeline for people, and why Ben still believes human art cuts through even in an AI era.

About Neck Deep:
Neck Deep are a Welsh pop-punk band formed in Wrexham in 2012, originally sparked when Ben Barlow and guitarist Lloyd Roberts posted “What Did You Expect?” online — a DIY start that snowballed into a decade-plus career of major chart success and global touring.
Their latest chapter includes the self-titled album Neck Deep (released Jan 19, 2024 via Hopeless Records), described by the band as a “return to roots” record made in-house with Ben’s brother Seb involved in the process.

Expect to learn:

Why skateparks produce “no status games” — and what that teaches you about life
The real story of early Neck Deep: DIY beginnings, heartbreak fuel, instant traction
Style vs substance (in skating and in music) — and why “being yourself” wins long-term
Attention economy, trend culture, and why “effort” became social currency
Fame, relationships, and how to stay grounded when your life goes nuclear
Why Life’s Not Out To Get You hit so hard, and how Ben thinks about responsibility to fans
AI, authenticity, and why human-made art still matters

Instagram: @davidmcintoshjrPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/davidmcintoshjr/aboutSubstack: https://substack.com/@davidmcintoshjr?Merch: https://originstoryclub.co.uk/

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