Punk doesn’t sit still. It doesn’t gather dust in a museum. Punk lives, sweats, and bleeds—or it dies. That’s why I’ve been watching Mark Thorn, one of the most electric voices in UK punk rock today I've known Mark over 20 years when he used to play for me at the Mau Mau bar on Portobello Road in Notting  Hill. His vocals are rough enough to sandpaper a wall and sharp enough to cut through a thousand copycat bands. And now, he’s the lead singer of the Dead Boys. This isn’t just news—it’s a statement. And it's great to see I know how hard he works.

Early Fire – Mark Thorn’s Arrival
Thorn stormed into the UK punk underground in the early noughties with zero fanfare. No childhood tales, no glossy press kits—just raw energy and a voice like gravel on fire. You could hear shades of Stiv Bators, Iggy Pop, and MC5, but Thorn isn’t an imitator. He’s carving his own path, leaving a punk revival trail that’s loud, messy, and unstoppable.

Neon Animal – UK Punk Chaos
By the mid-2010s, Thorn was fronting Neon Animal, a London-based punk rock band built on chaos and pure energy. Albums like Neon Animal (2018) and Electric Voodoo (2021) captured the grit and sweat of the band’s live shows. Tracks like “Highway to Hell” and “Rock ’n’ Roll Revolution” became underground anthems, pure raw punk energy for anyone hungry for rebellion.

By early 2025, legal disputes over bookings and a spin-off name (“Neo Animal”) ended Thorn’s time with Neon Animal. But his fire didn’t die—it only grew.

The Dead Boys – A New Era in Punk
January 2025 marked a turning point. Thorn became the lead singer of the Dead Boys, the legendary Cleveland punk band founded in 1976 by Stiv Bators. Following the exit of Jake Hout in 2024, Cheetah Chrome brought Thorn in on the recommendation of Rat  Scabies from The Damned. Chrome said it best:

“Mark Thorn grabs my attention. Friends in The Damned vouch for him, and I’m excited to tear things up with him in true Dead Boys style!”

Thorn now leads the Dead Boys revival, with two albums lined up on Cleopatra Records—one featuring Clem Burke R.I.P  (Blondie) and Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols), and the other marking the band’s first proper studio album in over forty years. With Thorn in charge, punk rock energy is back where it belongs: loud, raw, and unstoppable.

Beyond Neon Animal
Before Neon Animal, Thorn played with various UK underground punk acts, cutting his teeth in sweaty venues and honing his stage presence. After leaving Neon Animal, he’s focused on the Dead Boys, but hints at solo projects and collaborations keep surfacing. By late 2025, Thorn is driving a full-blown punk revival, delivering high-energy performances that honour the Dead Boys legacy while injecting his own modern grit.

Legacy in Motion
Thorn isn’t chasing nostalgia. He isn’t trying to replicate Stiv Bators. He’s bringing danger, energy, and rebellion back into punk rock, a scene too often softened for safety. Every show feels explosive, every vocal scream a punch in the chest. That’s punk. That’s alive. That’s Mark Thorn in 2025.

Final Thoughts
Seeing Mark Thorn step into the role of Dead Boys frontman proves that UK punk rock and punk revival aren’t relics—they’re raw, evolving, and relentless. With Thorn at the mic, the Dead Boys aren’t just replaying old hits—they’re writing a new chapter in punk history.

For fans of punk rock, UK underground music, Neon Animal, or the spirit of Stiv Bators, keep your eyes on Thorn. He’s not here to play it safe. He’s here to tear it up, one scream at a time.


Mark Thorn, former Neon Animal frontman, is now the lead singer of the Dead Boys, driving a full-blown punk revival with raw energy, grit, and the spirit of Stiv Bators. Discover how this UK punk rock powerhouse is tearing up stages and rewriting punk history in 2025.