Jimmy Regal And The Royals have announced their new single ‘Flat Battery Blues’, taken from their forthcoming new album ‘Snap Back’, will be released on Friday 14th August 2026.
The announcement of the second single follows an electrifying performance on the Hokum Stage at Ealing Blues Festival in Walpole Park on Sunday 2nd August 2026.
The album’s first single ‘Don’t Know Diddley’ was included on WDNF Philly’s Hot 50 List in the US. It also secured airplay on Resonance FM and KTCR FM amongst others.
Jimmy Regal And The Royals is a driving, dynamic band that takes the roots of blues to new places. They are inspired from music cultures around the world, such as North Mississippi, New Orleans, Senegal, and Mali – but remain unashamedly South London.
The core set up of harmonica, guitar and drums is the basis of a unique and inventive sound which is many-layered – it is often described as ‘huge.’ The band explores diverse influences while keeping a grounding in no-nonsense rhythm and blues.
They tour both as a three-piece and with a horn section and have recorded with some of West Africa’s best musicians, London’s top horn players, and many others.
After their debut album hit the UK charts in 2017, they scored four top-10 UK blues albums. Their last studio album, ‘First and Last Stop‘, went to #1 in the UK charts, was #1 most played UK act in the International Roots Music Report charts for three straight weeks and was a US top 10 placing in the Contemporary Blues charts. They received nominations from the UK Blues Federation for best album and best band in 2024 and 2026.
They have toured the UK extensively, including stages at the biggest blues festivals, and built a reputation as an electrifying live act. They have supported major US blues acts such as Cedric Burnside and GA-20. In 2026, they played the Kafou Music Festival in Dakar, Senegal, as a guest of griot musician and genius kora player Diabel Cissokho – who has also recorded with the band.
[For fans of: Junior Kimbrough, Cedric Burnside, Ali Farka Toure, Little Walter, Bo Diddley, North Mississippi Allstars, GA-20]
Pre-save the single ‘Flat Battery Blues’ – here
“These are all original songs, continuing our exploration of the past and future roots of blues, the myriad rhythms that flow in and out across and around the globe, from Africa to America to the UK to everywhere and back again.
The importance of song – lyricism, themes ranging from the grit and joy of everyday life to poets, characters, fights in pubs, the fight inside you, bad cars. These songs are all true.
It’s always been the mission of the band to expand what we do rhythmically, there’s so much diversity and richness to be inspired by.
This is why we collaborate with musicians from West Africa, to share and learn about a rich musical culture.”
Flat Battery Blues:
Joff: “A true life story inspired by yet another cheap and terrible car I’ve owned. Cars are much like life. Often letting you down, leaving you stuck in the middle of nowhere, and with memories of the good ones you’ve had. Musically inspired by funk and Cedric Burnside.”
The new album ‘Snap Back’ will have its physical release on Friday 25th September 2026.
The digital release on all platforms will be on Friday 2nd October 2026.
About The Band:
Joff Watkins: Harmonica, Vocals and Guitar.
Joff is widely recognised as one of the best harmonica players in the UK today. He has built his reputation as a session player for top acts including Rhoda Dakar and Shola Ama and has played numerous live sessions for BBC Radio.
Set Up – Marine Band harmonicas, Gretsch guitar. Fenders Bassman and Harp Train amps. Pedals: Boss Blues Driver, TC Electronic Sub’n’Up, Lone Wolf harp delay and drive, TC Electronic Hall of Fame mini.
CJ Williams: Guitar and Backing Vocals.
CJ stands apart due to his technique and approach, which blends bass, rhythm, and lead in one package. Uses a two-amp set-up with a signal splitter and octave pedal to create a giant sound.
Set Up – Guitars: 2019 Gibson Les Paul special tribute double cut, p90s; 1965 Silvertone Silhouette, silverfoil pickups; 1972 Gibson es340, t-top humbuckers; 1972 Martin D-28. Amps: Tone King Imperial II; Quilter Tone Block 202. Pedals: TC Electronic Spark Booster and Flashback Mini II; Boss OC-5; Gig Rig ABY-Baby; Nobels ODR mini; DOD Carcosa Fuzz.
Sammy Samuels: Drums, Percussion and Backing Vocals.
Sammy extensively toured Australia, Canada, and the US before settling in the UK. He has developed a highly original and layered rhythmic style to underpin the sound.
Set Up – Gretsch kit, Djembe
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