The band’s debut album Beautiful Life was released on 2 August 2019.
Welsh rock band Junior celebrated the release of their debut full-length, Beautiful Life, with the video for Brick by Brick, chosen as the NXT Loud theme for WWE NXT UK’s takeover of Cardiff on 31 August.
The theme of positivity and self-expression underpin Junior’s first album and are key to the band’s own identity. Beyond this, the band’s drummer Si Martin is known for running mental health non-profit Heads Above The Waves, which raises awareness of depression and self-harm in young people.
In addition to Si, Junior’s vocalist/bassist is well-known WWE wrestler Mark Andrews who performs weekly on NXT, 205 Live and NXT UK to an audience of millions. Guitarist and co-vocalist Matt Attard writes theme tunes for wrestlers, balancing his time against Junior’s increasingly busy schedule.
The band’s vital message does not detract from the fact that Junior are, above all else, a fun band. The highly versatile and impressively mature debut brings to mind elements of Blink-182, Biffy Clyro, and Jimmy Eat World, breaking beyond anthemic pop-punk tropes to create a highly irresistible first offering to all fans of modern rock.
Junior will tour the UK in support of the album next month, dates are as follows:
2 August – Cardiff Clwb Ifor Bach
4 August – Birmingham Sunflower Lounge
5 August – Glasgow Hug & Pint
6 August – Manchester Star & Garter
7 August – London Club 229
8 August – Cheltenham Frog and Fiddle
9 August – Sheffield Record Junkee
High Fives & Stage Dives 