The Ordinary Boys have officially returned to the music scene, marking their 20th anniversary with the release of a new, ska-inspired single titled ‘Peer Pressure’. It has been two decades since the band first rose to prominence with iconic mid-2000s hits such as ‘Boys Will Be Boys’ and ‘Nine2Five’.
The band’s resurgence follows a period of renewed activity, including a collaboration with Olly Murs on the festive track ‘Christmas Starts Tonight’ last year and a triumphant return to the stage at London’s Strongroom—their first live performance in over a decade.
A New Sound for a New Era
‘Peer Pressure’ serves as the band's first original release since their 2015 self-titled album. Arriving via the label Scruff Of The Neck, the track aims to capture the high-energy spirit that defined the group’s early career while addressing the complexities of the present day.
Frontman Samuel Preston explained the thematic depth of the new song: “Peer Pressure is a song about the stories we tell ourselves to rationalise our excesses, and how we ignore the real problems of life in a post AI world with its billionaires and manosphere.”
He added, “For our first song back we wanted to make something that sounded like an amalgamation of all the music we love and all The Ordinary Boys songs that we released in the 2000s. We wrote ‘Peer Pressure’ as a song that we wanted to hear the crowd singing back to us.”
Looking Back and Moving Forward
The current lineup features Samuel Preston alongside bassist James Gregory, drummer Charlie Stanley, and guitarist Matthew Powers. The band’s return coincides with a busy schedule of live dates, including support slots for #1 chart-toppers Madness, as well as appearances at Victorious Festival and the Together Again Festival.
Beyond the new music, Preston has been candid about his past experiences in the industry, including his time as a songwriter for artists like Cher, Jessie Ware, and Kylie Minogue. As the band celebrates this milestone, they remain focused on the connection with their audience, proving that their #westside energy is as relevant as ever.