By Chyrisse Tabone, Rock At Night Tampa
Interview: UK band Formal Sppeedwear – Recorded July 20, 2026
While much of the U.S. music scene remains stubbornly anchored in traditional hard rock and metal, across the pond, a decidedly different rhythm is taking hold. The UK is currently teeming with bands reviving underlying late-70s funk and early-80s dance grooves, and Stoke-on-Trent’s Formal Sppeedwear is front and center in that movement. The band consists of Beck Clewlow (bass, lead vocals, synthesizers), Charlie Ball (guitar, synthesizers), and Connor Wells (drums, guitar, and synthesizers).
Comprised of multi-instrumentalists Beck, the trio delivers a brand of quirky, synth-driven New Wave that tips its hat to the eccentric art rock brilliance of David Byrne (Talking Heads), Adrian Belew (Talking Heads, King Crimson), DEVO, and XTC. Rock At Night had the pleasure of catching them live this past May at the Garage in London, capturing exclusive live photos of a set that left us thoroughly impressed. For a three-piece, the sheer volume and texture of their live performance is massive—a feat highlighted by an innovative new keyboard setup that pushes out surprisingly huge, guitar-driven sounds.
Beyond their undeniable sonic footprint, Formal Sppeedwear is a fiercely independent creative force. They take immense pride in maintaining total DIY control over their artistic output, steering everything from songwriting and recording to album graphics and press photography. Following the momentum of their 2024 EP, the band is now gearing up to release their highly anticipated full-length album, Punch Card, on September 11.
In this interview, Clewlow, Ball, and Wells sit down with Rock At Night to discuss the deep roots of Stoke-on-Trent and Northern Soul, the parental musical influences that shaped them, and how composing music during the COVID lockdowns ultimately kick-started the band. We also dive into how their multi-instrumental backgrounds drive their unique composition process, and look ahead to their packed schedule of future gigs—including upcoming festivals, an appearance on BBC Radio 6, and a potential run at SXSW.
Rock At Night’s Podcast Channel– Apple Podcasts or Spotify or Amazon Music or YouTube or YouTube Music
VIDEO
Rock At Night’s Review of Formal Sppeedwear w/Warmduscher – London – May 2026
Rock At Night’s review of the band’s single “A Concise History”
SOCIAL MEDIA
I grew up in a household full of rock music, studied journalism in college, and then became a scientist.Although my science career has served me well, music has always played a major role in my life. I grew up reading "Creem" magazine; I play several musical instruments as a "hobby";and it seems a camera has always been in my hand. Now, I am combining what I love the most--music and photography--serving as editor of Rock At Night. I travel between the US and UK seeking my dream! My motto: life is short...no regrets. Chyrisse
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