Wille and the Bandits release interview with local Councillor Mark Gibbons to explore the growing concerns surrounding the UK’s sewage crisis, as anticipation builds for their upcoming album Salt Roots.

Long recognised for weaving environmental and social themes into their work, Wille and the Bandits have released an insightful interview with their local councillor Mark Gibbons who represents Looe East and Deviock and has consistently championed the protection of the coastline. Viewers can watch Wille Edwards and Mark delve into the crisis in more detail, discussing the scale of the problem and the practical steps individuals and communities can take to raise awareness and encourage meaningful change.

In the interview, Mark Gibbons says, “It’s a national issue, we are seeing an increasing number of events of sewage overflows into the water, we’ve got companies that prioritie shareholder value over public health”

“I was keen to speak with Mark regarding the ongoing sewage and wastewater issues affecting our area.” Frontman Wille explains “I was particularly interested in understanding what is currently being done at a local council level to address these concerns, as well as what measures can be taken to hold water companies to account.

During our conversation, Mark outlined a number of actions that residents can take locally to help monitor pollution levels. He also reassured me that the council is actively working to hold water companies accountable. However, he expressed concern that the financial penalties imposed are often insufficient and, in many cases, are ultimately passed on to customers. Since this has been demonstrated by South West Water. The average annual household bill is expected to increase to around £740 from £701 this year.

For Wille, the issue is deeply personal “Living by the sea has always been at the heart of our family life. Swimming in the ocean almost every day isn’t just a hobby, it’s how my children and I connect with nature and each other. But lately, that joy has turned into fear and frustration. My family has been falling ill after swimming, and we know that untreated sewage is a growing problem: in 2023 alone, there were over 464,000 sewage spills in England, lasting a total of 3.6 million hours, polluting our waters and putting people’s health at risk. This pollution doesn’t just affect those of us who live here, it takes away the chance for visitors to enjoy the sea safely too. I want to use my music to make some noise about this issue, to amplify our voices and push for cleaner seas so everyone can experience and enjoy the ocean safely. That’s why we’re using dirty riffs against dirty seas and released our single “Trouble round the bend” in partnership with Surfers against Sewage.”

The first single from the album  “Trouble Round The Bend,”  saw the band wade knee-deep into human waste to shine a spotlight through this powerful imagery.

Watch Video HERE 
As part of their tour, the band intends to travel to a number of locations impacted by sewage discharge. not for spectacle, but to draw attention to the reality communities are facing nationwide. These visits will be part of a broader campaign the band is developing, with further announcements expected as their efforts build pace.

Salt Roots is out Feb 27^th

Pre-orders for Salt Roots https://www.willeandthebandits.com/pre-order-salt-roots

Salt Roots UK Tour
March 2026

4^th Fleece | Bristol
5^th The Brook | Southampton
6^th John Peel Centre | Stowmarket
7^th The Star | Guildford
11^th Night and Day | Manchester
12^th Voodoo Rooms | Edinburgh
13^th Rum Shack | Glasgow
14^th Cluny | Newcastle
18^th Acapela | Cardiff
19^th Albert’s Shed | Shrewsbury
20^th Adelphi | Liverpool
21^st Amped | Huddersfield
22^nd Bodega | Nottingham
27^th Greystones | Sheffield
28^th Carnglaze Caverns | Liskeard * with Martin Harley, True Strays, Echo Town and James Dixon
Apr 29^th Half Moon Putney | London

Tour Tickets on website  www.willeandthebandits.com