The Kodiak Bears origin story goes like this: originally from the frozen isle of Kodiak, Alaska, they swam across the ocean and set up camp in London. Whether you take that literally is up to you, but it tells you something true about the band’s personality. This is a group that does not take itself too seriously while taking the music very seriously, a balance that suits their blend of blues, country, punk, rock, and rockabilly, and one they have honed through a steady live presence on London’s gig circuit, bear masks and all.
The Single
Come on England, released June 19, 2026, is exactly what its title promises: a football anthem for the Three Lions, timed for England’s World Cup campaign and clocking in at a lean two minutes and twenty-one seconds. Football songs are their own tradition in English music, and they live or die on energy and singability. A band built on punk ‘n’ roll directness is well suited to the assignment, and Kodiak Bears clearly wrote this one for pubs, fan parks, and living rooms rather than for quiet contemplation.
The single comes with an official video that leans into the band’s established visual identity, England colours, bear masks, and full live-wire energy. It is a release that knows exactly what it is and exactly when it needed to exist, which is more than can be said for a lot of tournament songs.
Final Thoughts
Come on England is a short, sharp burst of World Cup spirit from a band whose whole identity is built on delivering energy without pretension. If you are backing the Three Lions this summer, add it to the matchday playlist and judge it the only way a football anthem can be judged: out loud, at volume, with company.
Come on England is out now. Released June 19, 2026. Follow Kodiak Bears at kodiakbears.co.uk and on Instagram and Facebook at @kodiakbearsband.
For more indie music coverage, visit MusicOnTheRox.com.
