Zen Baseballbat: There’s Nothing Worth Stealing
Self release
Vinyl | CD | DL
Available 20 March 2026
Cult UK ska-punk misfits Zen Baseballbat return with There’s Nothing Worth Stealing, their first new release since the double-album punch of Better Ways To Love & Offend and Rations. Claire Glover from Louder Than War discovers an album that proves the Widnes collective are still masters of groove, grit and wry northern observation.
Formed in the early 1990s by twin brothers Gary and Carl Gleavey, Zen Baseballbat have spent decades carving out their own distinctive lane somewhere between ska, punk, reggae and new wave. Emerging from Widnes, the band built a loyal cult following across the UK and Europe with a sound that balances the upbeat bounce of Ska with the laid-back sway of reggae and the restless energy of punk.
There’s Nothing Worth Stealing shows that their formula remains as infectious as ever. Across eleven tracks the band deliver off-beat skanking guitars, melodic reggae basslines and rhythms that refuse to sit still. It’s music built for movement, the kind that makes standing still practically impossible. The current line-up sees Gary Gleavey on guitar and vocals alongside twin Carl Gleavey on bass and vocals, joined by Jordan Donaldson on keyboards, Michael Wilkinson on drums and Jonathan “Jogga” Parker on guitar. Complementing the band throughout the record is Ayshea Elfer, whose distinctive backing vocals add warmth, power and a sense of playful soul that elevates the album’s sound.
The brilliant album opener Angry Man sets the tone perfectly, a tongue-in-cheek yet sharply observed slice of ska-reggae storytelling. With its kicking out rhythm and urban poetry, the track captures the band’s ability to wrap biting commentary inside danceable grooves. The vocal interplay and backing harmonies glide effortlessly across the rhythm section. The title track There’s Nothing Worth Stealing in My House leans into a darker, hypnotic feel. Driven by a pulsing vibe and layered counter-melodies, the track blends melancholy with dancefloor energy, its repeated refrain “take it all, take it all” hovering somewhere between resignation and defiance.
Elsewhere, In The Flat delivers classic reggae guitar licks alongside atmospheric backing vocals, while Gotta Get It Right (This Time) brings a sun-soaked Caribbean feel and an instantly memorable hook. Across the record, the rhythm section anchors everything with deep reggae basslines and percussion that shifts effortlessly between a brace of electros, dub spaciousness and hints of calypso. Wilkinson’s drumming in particular gives the album its dynamic pulse, locking the band into rhythmic pockets that feel both tight and expansive. Other highlights include the feisty I Don’t Wanna Love You Too Much, the restless Destination Normal, and the slyly observational Give Me Hooligans, each track bringing its own character while still sitting comfortably within the band’s hybrid ska-punk-reggae sound. Musically, Zen Baseballbat continue to draw on classic two-tone traditions, off-beat guitar skanks, horn-style keyboard stabs and infectious rhythms, while weaving in post-punk attitude and flashes of dub experimentation. The result is a sound that feels both nostalgic and stubbornly individual. Recorded and mixed at the band’s Stahl 42 studio with producer Colin MacKay, the album captures Zen Baseballbat at their tightest and most confident. The musicianship throughout is razor sharp, with layered harmonies and counter-melodies that show a band still clearly enjoying the creative process decades into their career.
Lyrically, the album resonates with the everyday frustrations of modern life, small rebellions, quiet resilience and the stubborn hope that things might still improve. These are songs for people holding things together by a thread, with clenched teeth and half-raised fists, but still dancing anyway. With There’s Nothing Worth Stealing, Zen Baseballbat prove that their blend of reggae, brace of electros and northern wit still hits the mark. It’s an album full of character, energy and sly social commentary and one that reminds us that sometimes the best protest is simply refusing to stay silent.
You can pre-save the album on Spotify now via the link below:
There’s Nothing Worth Stealing
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All words by Claire Glover. More writing by Claire on Louder Than War can be found at her author profile here. You can also find her on Bluesky and Twitter
Album Artwork: Gary and Carl Gleavey
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