Southampton rockers Regent share 'Beggars Belief', the title track from their second album, set for release on April 26.
With a UK general election looming large in everyone’s minds, frontman Ben Rooke takes little time in giving listeners his two cents on the current state of things, “You tell me something, some big fat porky pies. You think that I’m stupid, I see right through those lies” he seethes on opening number ‘Beggars Belief’, his patent snarl at full lick.
A political uppercut delivered with a knockout rock’n’roll punch, the title-track is a state-of-the-nation address drenched in a seismic, feedback-scrawled score designed to rally the troops. As Rooke explains: “[Beggars Belief] is a complete dig at the establishment and everything we believe or are told to believe… From the pandemic to wars, the cost of living crisis, to the mockery of the government, and how we the people have been treated these past few years. Corruption runs deep worldwide, not just in this country… I wanted to write a record that sums these times up.”
Listen to ‘Beggars Belief’ by Regent on our Southampton Fan Playlist on Spotify.
The swift follow-up to 2022’s acclaimed Just a Revolution, the latest from the ascending Southampton indie-rock outfit finds them leading the charge with an album for the here and now. A record of politics and people, love and rage, stress and peace, chances and change, Beggars Belief sees the band find their A-game for 12 incendiary, anthemic tracks, born of the zeitgeist and destined to be roared out by the masses.
Featuring the singles ‘Flying High’, ‘Liberation’, ‘Oh No, I Know’ and the recently released title-track, Beggars Belief finds Regent ready to defy expectations. Taking the revolutionary spirit of their debut to the masses, Regent’s latest sees them sailing with the winds of change and making the statement of their career to date.
Purveyors of an insurgent, no-nonsense brand of rock’n’roll, Regent, have forged a reputation as one of Southampton’s finest and fastest emerging acts. Tackling widespread issues of political mistrust and economic struggles, to more introspective tracks homing-in on personal hardships to the joy to be found in relationships, Regent’s knack for relatable songs and hook-laden tunes has seen their popularity swell in recent years.
Riding high on a string of highly-charged single releases, the band delivered their acclaimed debut LP Just A Revolution in 2022. Swiftly following it with recent EP Believe, the band supported the release with a number of high profile headline shows, festival slots, and supporting shows with notable acts like Reverend & The Makers.
On their journey to date, Regent have earned praise from the likes of Louder Than War, Earmilk and Gigslutz, and have gained radio play from Radio X, Frank Skinner on Absolute Radio, Amazing Radio and BBC Introducing as well as RTE2 in Ireland and SiriusXM in the US. The group’s gripping sound has also attracted attention across the world of TV and sport, with airplay on Soccer AM, Sky Sports Darts, the Premier League, BBC Six Nations Rugby, BT Sport and BBC One’s Match of the Day.
Regent are: Ben Rooke (vocals) // Chris Woolf (lead guitar) // Ed Cesar (rhythm guitar) // Luke Trundell (bass) // Chris Blackman (drums).
