BIG SPECIAL

BIG SPECIAL

1793 fans

Comprising singer Joe Hicklin and drummer Callum Moloney, UK indie post-punk duo Big Special were formed in Black Country, near Birmingham, in 2020 by two childhood friends. The band blend elements of rock and punk, showcased on their debut EP, Doom Song, released in 2022, and the follow-up EP, Black Country Gothic, also released in 2022. Several singles emerged in 2023, including "Shithouse" and "Desperate Breakfast." Their debut album, Postindustrial Hometown Blues, arrived in May 2024 on SO Recordings, anchored by the single "Dust Off / Start Again." They released their second album, National Average, in July 2025. Following a collaboration with Sleaford Mods and actress Gwendoline Christie on the single "The Good Life" in October 2025, the duo returned with the EP O'Joy! in April 2026, followed by their third album of the same name in June that year.

Top tracks

05
THIS HERE AIN'T WATER
BIG SPECIAL
POSTINDUSTRIAL HOMETOWN BLUES
03:22
Writer: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney
10
HOTEL
BIG SPECIAL
O'JOY!
03:19
Writer: Joseph Hicklin / Composers: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney - Michael Clarke
01
BLACK DOG / WHITE HORSE
BIG SPECIAL
BLACK DOG / WHITE HORSE
03:08
Writer: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney
03
DESPERATE BREAKFAST
BIG SPECIAL
POSTINDUSTRIAL HOMETOWN BLUES
03:11
Writer: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney
03
ONLY FREE WHEN SLEEPING
BIG SPECIAL
O'JOY!
02:59
Writer: Joseph Hicklin / Composers: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney - Michael Clarke
02
PLAINTIVE NATIVE
BIG SPECIAL
O'JOY!
03:18
Writer: Joseph Hicklin / Composers: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney - Michael Clarke
06
FAMILY BONES
BIG SPECIAL
O'JOY!
03:30
Writer: Joseph Hicklin / Composers: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney - Michael Clarke
04
LAZARUS
BIG SPECIAL
O'JOY!
03:16
Writer: Joseph Hicklin / Composers: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney - Michael Clarke
05
THE WAKE
BIG SPECIAL
O'JOY!
01:52
Writer: Joseph Hicklin / Composers: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney - Michael Clarke
09
DRAGGED UP A HILL (and thrown down the other side)
BIG SPECIAL
O'JOY!
04:29
Writer: Joseph Hicklin / Composers: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney - Michael Clarke
08
SLUGLIFE
BIG SPECIAL
O'JOY!
04:43
Writer: Joseph Hicklin / Composers: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney - Michael Clarke
04
SHITHOUSE
BIG SPECIAL
POSTINDUSTRIAL HOMETOWN BLUES
04:48
Writer: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney
07
GARDEN OF FOOLS
BIG SPECIAL
O'JOY!
03:14
Writer: Joseph Hicklin / Composers: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney - Michael Clarke
04
SHITHOUSE (Single Version)
BIG SPECIAL
TREES
03:47
Writer: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney
01
BLACK COUNTRY GOTHIC
BIG SPECIAL
POSTINDUSTRIAL HOMETOWN BLUES
02:57
Writer: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney
04
SHOP MUSIC.
BIG SPECIAL
NATIONAL AVERAGE.
03:55
Writer: Joseph Hicklin / Composers: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney - Michael Clarke
01
THIS HERE AIN'T WATER
BIG SPECIAL
THIS HERE AIN'T WATER
03:21
Writer: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney / Composers: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney
01
STAY DOWN, LAZARUS
BIG SPECIAL
STAY DOWN, LAZARUS
03:24
Writer: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney
03
HUG A BASTARD.
BIG SPECIAL
NATIONAL AVERAGE.
04:10
Writer: Joseph Hicklin / Composers: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney - Michael Clarke
02
GOD SAVE THE PONY.
BIG SPECIAL
NATIONAL AVERAGE.
03:09
Writer: Joseph Hicklin / Composers: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney - Michael Clarke
09
ILL.
BIG SPECIAL
POSTINDUSTRIAL HOMETOWN BLUES
03:09
Writer: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney
02
I MOCK JOGGERS
BIG SPECIAL
POSTINDUSTRIAL HOMETOWN BLUES
02:02
Writer: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney
11
BUTCHER'S BIN
BIG SPECIAL
POSTINDUSTRIAL HOMETOWN BLUES
04:00
Writer: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney
12
DUST OFF / START AGAIN
BIG SPECIAL
POSTINDUSTRIAL HOMETOWN BLUES
03:44
Writer: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney
10
JUDAS SONG.
BIG SPECIAL
NATIONAL AVERAGE.
03:35
Writer: Joseph Hicklin / Composers: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney - Michael Clarke
01
THE MESS.
BIG SPECIAL
NATIONAL AVERAGE.
03:40
Writer: Joseph Hicklin / Composers: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney - Michael Clarke
08
YESBOSS.
BIG SPECIAL
NATIONAL AVERAGE.
03:30
Writer: Joseph Hicklin / Composers: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney - Michael Clarke
07
GET BACK SAFE.
BIG SPECIAL
NATIONAL AVERAGE.
03:52
Writer: Joseph Hicklin / Composers: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney - Michael Clarke
14
FOR THE BIRDS
BIG SPECIAL
POSTINDUSTRIAL HOMETOWN BLUES
02:03
Writer: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney
09
DOMESTIC BLISS.
BIG SPECIAL
NATIONAL AVERAGE.
03:51
Writer: Joseph Hicklin / Composers: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney - Michael Clarke
05
PIGS PUDDIN.
BIG SPECIAL
NATIONAL AVERAGE.
02:16
Writer: Joseph Hicklin / Composers: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney - Michael Clarke
06
PROFESSIONALS.
BIG SPECIAL
NATIONAL AVERAGE.
03:32
Writer: Joseph Hicklin / Composers: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney - Michael Clarke

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  • Discography
Albums
O'JOY!
2026 SO Recordings / Silva Screen Records Limited
05-06-2026
O'JOY!
01
**
BIG SPECIAL
O'JOY!
00:18
Writer: Joseph Hicklin / Composers: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney - Michael Clarke
02
PLAINTIVE NATIVE
BIG SPECIAL
O'JOY!
03:18
Writer: Joseph Hicklin / Composers: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney - Michael Clarke
03
ONLY FREE WHEN SLEEPING
BIG SPECIAL
O'JOY!
02:59
Writer: Joseph Hicklin / Composers: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney - Michael Clarke
04
LAZARUS
BIG SPECIAL
O'JOY!
03:16
Writer: Joseph Hicklin / Composers: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney - Michael Clarke
05
THE WAKE
BIG SPECIAL
O'JOY!
01:52
Writer: Joseph Hicklin / Composers: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney - Michael Clarke
06
FAMILY BONES
BIG SPECIAL
O'JOY!
03:30
Writer: Joseph Hicklin / Composers: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney - Michael Clarke
07
GARDEN OF FOOLS
BIG SPECIAL
O'JOY!
03:14
Writer: Joseph Hicklin / Composers: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney - Michael Clarke
Access the complete album info (10 songs)
NATIONAL AVERAGE.
â„— 2025 SO Recordings / Silva Screen Records Limited
03-07-2025
NATIONAL AVERAGE.
01
THE MESS.
BIG SPECIAL
NATIONAL AVERAGE.
03:40
Writer: Joseph Hicklin / Composers: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney - Michael Clarke
02
GOD SAVE THE PONY.
BIG SPECIAL
NATIONAL AVERAGE.
03:09
Writer: Joseph Hicklin / Composers: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney - Michael Clarke
03
HUG A BASTARD.
BIG SPECIAL
NATIONAL AVERAGE.
04:10
Writer: Joseph Hicklin / Composers: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney - Michael Clarke
04
SHOP MUSIC.
BIG SPECIAL
NATIONAL AVERAGE.
03:55
Writer: Joseph Hicklin / Composers: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney - Michael Clarke
05
PIGS PUDDIN.
BIG SPECIAL
NATIONAL AVERAGE.
02:16
Writer: Joseph Hicklin / Composers: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney - Michael Clarke
06
PROFESSIONALS.
BIG SPECIAL
NATIONAL AVERAGE.
03:32
Writer: Joseph Hicklin / Composers: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney - Michael Clarke
07
GET BACK SAFE.
BIG SPECIAL
NATIONAL AVERAGE.
03:52
Writer: Joseph Hicklin / Composers: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney - Michael Clarke
Access the complete album info (13 songs)
POSTINDUSTRIAL HOMETOWN BLUES
â„— 2024 SO Recordings / Silva Screen Records Limited
10-05-2024
POSTINDUSTRIAL HOMETOWN BLUES
01
BLACK COUNTRY GOTHIC
BIG SPECIAL
POSTINDUSTRIAL HOMETOWN BLUES
02:57
Writer: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney
02
I MOCK JOGGERS
BIG SPECIAL
POSTINDUSTRIAL HOMETOWN BLUES
02:02
Writer: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney
03
DESPERATE BREAKFAST
BIG SPECIAL
POSTINDUSTRIAL HOMETOWN BLUES
03:11
Writer: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney
04
SHITHOUSE
BIG SPECIAL
POSTINDUSTRIAL HOMETOWN BLUES
04:48
Writer: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney
05
THIS HERE AIN'T WATER
BIG SPECIAL
POSTINDUSTRIAL HOMETOWN BLUES
03:22
Writer: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney
06
MY SHAPE (BLOCKING THE LIGHT)
BIG SPECIAL
POSTINDUSTRIAL HOMETOWN BLUES
03:22
Writer: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney
07
BLACK DOG / WHITE HORSE
BIG SPECIAL
POSTINDUSTRIAL HOMETOWN BLUES
03:08
Writer: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney
Access the complete album info (15 songs)
EPs
TREES
â„— 2023 SO Recordings / Silva Screen Records Limited
06-12-2023
TREES
01
TREES
BIG SPECIAL
TREES
02:52
Writer: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney
02
DESPERATE BREAKFAST
BIG SPECIAL
TREES
03:11
Writer: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney
03
THIS HERE AIN'T WATER
BIG SPECIAL
TREES
03:21
Writer: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney
04
SHITHOUSE (Single Version)
BIG SPECIAL
TREES
03:47
Writer: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney
Singles
SLUGLIFE
2026 SO Recordings / Silva Screen Records Limited
07-01-2026
SLUGLIFE
01
SLUGLIFE
BIG SPECIAL
SLUGLIFE
04:43
Writer: Joseph Hicklin / Composers: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney
DRAGGED UP A HILL (and thrown down the other side)
2025 SO Recordings / Silva Screen Records Limited
26-11-2025
DRAGGED UP A HILL (and thrown down the other side)
01
DRAGGED UP A HILL (and thrown down the other side)
BIG SPECIAL
DRAGGED UP A HILL (and thrown down the other side)
04:29
Writer: Joseph Hicklin / Composers: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney
PLAINTIVE NATIVE
2025 SO Recordings / Silva Screen Records Limited
15-10-2025
PLAINTIVE NATIVE
01
PLAINTIVE NATIVE
BIG SPECIAL
PLAINTIVE NATIVE
03:18
Writer: Joseph Hicklin / Composers: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney - Michael Clarke
STAY DOWN, LAZARUS
â„— 2024 SO Recordings / Silva Screen Records Limited
10-10-2024
STAY DOWN, LAZARUS
01
STAY DOWN, LAZARUS
BIG SPECIAL
STAY DOWN, LAZARUS
03:24
Writer: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney
Black Dog / White Horse (Acoustic Version)
â„— 2024 SO Recordings / Silva Screen Records Limited
26-07-2024
Black Dog / White Horse (Acoustic Version)
01
Black Dog / White Horse (Acoustic Version)
BIG SPECIAL
Black Dog / White Horse (Acoustic Version)
04:05
Writer: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney
BLACK DOG / WHITE HORSE
â„— 2024 SO Recordings / Silva Screen Records Limited
01-04-2024
BLACK DOG / WHITE HORSE
01
BLACK DOG / WHITE HORSE
BIG SPECIAL
BLACK DOG / WHITE HORSE
03:08
Writer: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney
BUTCHER'S BIN
â„— 2024 SO Recordings / Silva Screen Records Limited
13-03-2024
BUTCHER'S BIN
01
BUTCHER'S BIN
BIG SPECIAL
BUTCHER'S BIN
04:00
Writer: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney
02
DUST OFF / START AGAIN
BIG SPECIAL
BUTCHER'S BIN
03:44
Writer: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney
DUST OFF / START AGAIN
â„— 2024 SO Recordings / Silva Screen Records Limited
05-02-2024
DUST OFF / START AGAIN
01
DUST OFF / START AGAIN
BIG SPECIAL
DUST OFF / START AGAIN
03:44
Writer: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney
DESPERATE BREAKFAST
SO Recordings / Silva Screen Records Limited
20-09-2023
DESPERATE BREAKFAST
01
DESPERATE BREAKFAST
BIG SPECIAL
DESPERATE BREAKFAST
03:11
Writer: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney
02
THIS HERE AIN'T WATER
BIG SPECIAL
DESPERATE BREAKFAST
03:21
Writer: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney
03
SHITHOUSE (Single Version)
BIG SPECIAL
DESPERATE BREAKFAST
03:47
Writer: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney
This Here Ain't Water (Public Service Broadcasting Remix)
â„— 2023 SO Recordings / Silva Screen Records Limited
15-08-2023
This Here Ain't Water (Public Service Broadcasting Remix)
01
This Here Ain't Water (Public Service Broadcasting Remix)
BIG SPECIAL
This Here Ain't Water (Public Service Broadcasting Remix)
05:01
Writer: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney
THIS HERE AIN'T WATER
SO Recordings / Silva Screen Records Limited
15-06-2023
THIS HERE AIN'T WATER
01
THIS HERE AIN'T WATER
BIG SPECIAL
THIS HERE AIN'T WATER
03:21
Writer: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney / Composers: Joseph Hicklin - Callum Moloney