The Inklings

The Inklings and North East post-punk

The Inklings are a North East band made up of Darren Thomas, Mick McGee and James Thomas. The trio write, perform and record their own material, building a sound that moves through post-punk, alternative rock, new wave, punk, ska and reggae without settling into one narrow lane.

Their catalogue has grown steadily through a run of self-released records. Releases include This Time For Real, Bricolage, Bring Out Your Dead, The Tunnel at the End of the Light, Compromised and, in 2026, Move 37. That output gives the band a substantial body of work and makes them one of the more prolific DIY acts operating in the region.

The Inklings live in the North East

Although their songs pull from several styles, there is a consistent focus on self-written material and darker storytelling. The Forum Music Centre has described them as a North East band with a post-punk sound and a strong storytelling streak, while their own Bandcamp tags point towards alternative, reggae, new wave, punk rock and ska.

That combination makes them a natural fit for grassroots bills around the region. Their Darlington appearance supporting Newtown Neurotics and Attila the Stockbroker also places them alongside artists with long-standing punk and alternative connections, while giving the trio another platform for their own catalogue.

For SoundBite North East, The Inklings stand out because they have built their identity around writing and recording their own songs rather than relying on covers or nostalgia. The result is a regional band with a clear DIY approach, a deep catalogue and a sound that sits comfortably between post-punk and broader alternative music.