British Birds – Lie Down With Dogs, Stand Up With Fleas (Skep Wax)
British Birds share a rousing expression of exasperation at our passivity in the face of lame authority with single Lie Down With Dogs, Stand Up With Fleas, the first taken from their forthcoming album Murmurate, Oscillate due on Skep Wax in October
Artist: British Birds
Track: Lie Down With Dogs, Stand Up With Fleas
Label: Skep Wax Records
Release date: 29 July 2026
Find it: YouTube
British Birds warn against it in the lyrics of new single Lie Down With Dogs, Stand Up With Fleas but we are most definitely drinking the Kool Aid on this being an absolute belter.
Announcing they have signed to Skep Wax, one of the best indie labels around, for the release of their third album the band also shared this single. It’s got the catchiest ‘ooos’ around and an angular ‘get thee to the dancefloor’ melody (and a video to match that energy). And as if all that wasn’t glorious enough lyrically it’s a rousing expression of exasperation at our passivity in the face of lame authority.
‘Warm beer in a plastic pot / bought with money that I haven’t got / giving money to a conglomerate / It don’t feel right’
Lie Down With Dogs, Stand Up With Fleas is a fine addition to the catalogue and way to usher in the era of album Murmurate, Oscillate.
If you already know the band you get what they do best: fierce guitars, snapping and insistent rhythms, dark and political themes hit with humour, and a duelling vocal between siblings Bobby and Emma Townson. If you’ve not yet discovered the band this single is a great stepping in point to the Billy Childish frenzied garage punk meets the quirky pop experimentalism of The Lovely Eggs.
Lie Down With Dogs, Stand Up With Fleas by British Birds is out digitally now. It is also available as a limited edition (50) lathe cut available only with the purchase of an LP. And as a limited cassette single (100) which comes with postcard and a badge. Album Murmurate, Oscillate is due on 16 October 2026 digitally and on vinyl and CD from Skep Wax Records.
Find British Birds: Bandcamp
Live dates:
- 17 October – Rough Trade West, London (acoustic)
- 24 October – Bootleg Social, Blackpool
- 11 December – Lexington, London
A headline tour of the UK is set to follow in early 2027.
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Sarah Lay
A long-standing music journalist she's also co-founder of independent record label Reckless Yes, an author of novels, and when not messing around with words and music, a digital strategist.
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