Bonny Lad To Release Debut EP On June 19th

Bonny Lad is a new British melodic hardcore project from the North of England, featuring members of The Human Project, Bear Trade and Tripdash.

Comprising guitarists Matt Collins and Callum Goldsbrough, vocalist Johnny Walker, drummer Joe Dimuantes, and bassist Jonny Rob, Bonny Lad channels the speed and melody of early-2000s skatepunk staples like Slick Shoes and Rufio, infused with the social conscience of Propagandhi, and delivered with a uniquely Northern edge thanks to the experiences, and distinctive regional accents, of its member.

The Bonny Lad’s debut EP, Hard-fought – releasing 19 June 2026 (Cat’s Claw, Double Felix, Disconnect Disconnect, No Reason and Punk Rock Radar) – delivers breakneck skatepunk anthems marked by technical precision, big choruses, and introspective lyricism. Produced by Jonny Rob at Deptford Sound Studios in Sunderland, UK, the record speaks to the resilience shown by communities across the world in the face of discrimination, subjugation, and militaristic aggression. 

Of the record, Bonny Lad’s lyricist, Johnny, says: “The response to our first single, The Discourse, which came out in May, has been really encouraging, and we can’t wait to get the other songs out into the world. The UK’s punk scene is thriving at the moment, and we’re looking forward to people hearing our take.”

Hard-fought takes its name from propaganda used by the National Union of Mineworkers in the 1980s, paying tribute to the North of England’s working-class communities and Old Labour’s fight against the boot-licking individualism of Margaret Thatcher’s neoliberal agenda. The record laments how these struggles remain unresolved, and that working-class solidarity is as vital today as it has ever been. Said resilience is captured by stunning illustrations by abstract artist and designer, Samitha Perera: the record’s cover capturing the standing pit wheel of Emma Colliery in Tyneside amid scenes of urban destruction.

“Sure, mining pit wheels symbolise the losses of the past and the enduring legacy of Thatcher”, says Matt Collins. “But in the same breath, they serve as reminders of the strength of the working-class. Change happens around them, but the Pit Wheels remain, standing tall in the hearts of communities.”