Brighton Indie-Punk Trio POUCH Return With ‘Girl On The Phone’
Brighton indie-punk trio POUCH return with the new single ‘Girl On The Phone’, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for a band rapidly building a reputation.
Formed in Brighton, POUCH are James Neighbour (vocals, guitar and songwriter), Sam Raymer (bass) and Charlie Heasman (drums). Combining the raw urgency of punk with the melody and attitude of British indie rock, the trio have developed a distinctive sound built around infectious hooks, emotionally driven songwriting and a live energy that has become central to their identity.
Produced by Gareth Nuttall (The K’s, The Lottery Winners, Andrew Cushin, Frank Turner), ‘Girl On The Phone’ sees POUCH push their sound into heavier, cinematic, intense territory while maintaining the sharp songwriting and melodic instinct that have earned them widespread attention. Driven by heavily distorted, wide stereo spread guitars, punching drums and grounding bass, the track creates a high octane backdrop for the effortlessly infectious vocals. Delivered with a lazy self-assurance and melodic purpose, the lead vocals channel the understated swagger of Britpop whilst retaining the songwriting style which has seen the band compared to Buzzcocks.
Talking about the track, James Neighbour, songwriter, vocalist and guitarist, explains:
“Simply put, the song is about miscommunication and missed opportunities. Both characters are drawn to each other in this crowded yet lonely place, with one believing the other is uninterested and the other growing frustrated by his lack of action. Neither knows what the other is thinking, and this misunderstanding prevents them from getting what they both want. Everything reaches its climax during the bridge, when the girl invites him to ‘take her away’ to escape the performative, game-playing environment.
“Girl On The Phone marks a bit of a change in direction for us. We’re leaning into a grungier sound, drawing a lot of inspiration from Nirvana’s Nevermind, while still holding on to that British indie feel through the vocal style and songwriting. We’ve been playing this song live for a while now, so we’re incredibly excited to finally have it out in the world.”
POUCH have already established themselves as a standout name within Brighton’s thriving music scene, earning praise for their ability to combine the raw spirit of bands such as Buzzcocks and The Libertines with their own modern indie identity. Their previous EP ‘Pouch Core’ was described as a “raw and vibrant collection of tracks” showcasing the band’s unique garage-rock-meets-indie-rock sound. Recorded with acclaimed producer Sam Coveney (Lovejoy, The Guts, CLT DRP) and mastered by Alessandro Kogolo at Small Pond Studios in Brighton, the release captured the intensity of their live performances while highlighting the band’s evolving songwriting.
POUCH have continued to build momentum through an impressive run of live shows, radio support and press coverage. The band performed at Y NOT? Festival 2025, appearing alongside major acts including The Prodigy, Primal Scream, Franz Ferdinand, Madness and Courteeners, supported notable acts including The Dream Machine, The Skinner Brothers, The Kairos, The Lilacs and Aerial Salad, and have played headline shows across Brighton at venues including Dust, The Green Door Store, The Prince Albert and Daltons. They have also headlined O2 Academy 2 Islington and performed at The Great Escape 2026 as part of Scruff of the Neck’s Alternative Escape. Their music has received radio support from John Kennedy’s Radio X Xposure, BBC Introducing, while ‘It Ain’t Pretty’ featured on the Small Pond Emerging Volume 4 compilation album for emerging talent and ‘Running Around’ was named This Feeling Track of the Day. Their previous releases have received coverage from tastemaker press including Earmilk, Clash, Psychedelic Baby Magazine, Brighton and Hove News, Notion and Ones To Watch.
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