March 19, 2026: Seasick Steve has today released the visceral new single “Bad Things” through his new label Eastcote Recordings. “Bad Things” was inspired by a road trip across America that Steve undertook with his wife Elisabeth in summer 2024, where they witnessed the poverty and polarisation at first hand in the context of the upcoming US election. The track takes aim at a certain venal and divisive politician: “We got a criminal running this place. He got lies written all over his face,” sings Steve. “I guess it ain’t too hard to guess, right?” he says of the subject of his ire. Yet there is optimism among Steve’s righteous anger – “There’s bad things, but we still can change. If you believe in hope, we can rearrange. I still believe in the power of love.” “Bad Things” was produced by Grammy Award-winner Martin Terefe at Eastcote Studios in London. For the recording, Steve and his longtime drummer Dan Magnusson were joined by guitarist Dave Okumu (The Invisible), while Terefe added bass guitar. 2026 marks 20 years since an unknown American singer/songwriter, already a grandfather, with a beat-up Japanese guitar with only three strings and an old wooden box to stomp on, made his TV debut on Jools Holland’s BBC Hootenanny on New Year’s Eve. There was no one more surprised than Seasick Steve at the overwhelming reception he has had since that famous night in 2006. Steve never imagined that he would go on to play almost every major festival, selling out numerous tours and legendary venues along the way, or that he would have sold almost 2 million records worldwide, including three top ten albums in the official UK album chart. Steve’s musical journey began as a boy in the 1950s, hearing his fathers 78’s of artists like The Ink Spots, The Mills Brothers, Ella Fitzgerald, The Nat King Cole Trio, Jelly Roll Morton, and the great Louis Armstrong. From the early days of Country, there was Hank Williams, Left Frezzell, and Patsy Cline, and later on came the sounds of Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, and early 60’s Doo Wop and Motown. However, Steve’s real revelation and deep connection to the Blues came in the mid ’60’s when he saw live performances from legends including Son House, Mississippi Fred McDowell, the Reverend Gary Davis, John Lee Hooker, Howlin’ Wolf and Lightnin’ Hopkins, forever changing his life. Later the same decade, Steve saw Otis Redding, James Brown, Bo Diddly, Jimi Hendrix, Muddy Waters, The Doors, Janis Joplin , Sly and The Family Stone and so many of the great 60’s bands. All of these deep influences have led him musically to where he is today. Stand by for news of Steve’s new long-player and two very special, intimate live shows. | 
