Dublin punk artist Meryl Streek has announced his third album which features Crass’ Steve Ignorant, Pete Holidai, Phil Jupitus, Gallows guitarist Laurent ‘Lags’ Barnard, Adebisi Shank’s Vinny McCreith, Meditations for The Anxious Mind’ Frankie McNamara and more.
Lead single ‘Rotten Fruit’ features Steve Ignorant of Crass and TROM.
The album – described by Steve Ignorant as “a kick in the arse and a smack in the face” – is Meryl Streek’s most direct statement yet, tackling issues that, in his own words, “we’re not pre-warned about – depression, addiction, homelessness, cost of living. These are matters we’re forced to deal with later in life, with zero preparation.”
‘Rotten Fruit’ takes on media control and the deadening onslaught of fear-driven news.
Other tracks are more specific: ‘Council Estates’ directs attention to governments failing the working class; ‘Kelly’ documents the case of Kelly Lynch, a young woman found dead in the Ulster Canal in Monaghan Town on St. Patrick’s Day 2024, whose family’s independent forensic reports contradicted the official findings. Streek on the track: “If no one will speak out, Meryl Streek will.”
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The album is stacked with collaborators. Pete Holidai of The Radiators From Space plays guitar on ‘Depression’, which opens with words from late friend Liam Norton. Comedian Phil Jupitus appears on ‘The Chancer’. ‘Housing For All’ contains audio from Derelict Ireland campaigners Frank and Jude. Venn Records owner and Gallows guitarist Laurent ‘Lags’ Barnard joins Vinny McCreith of Adebisi Shank on ‘Bullet’. Phil Wyer and Sophie Porter contribute guitars throughout. Frankie McNamara – known for his Meditations for the Anxious Mind Instagram series and book – closes the album with a three-minute spoken word piece.
For Meryl Streek, the Crass connection is a deeply personal one: “I, along with many others, wouldn’t be doing this music without Steve’s years of work and to have him on this track with me means a lot.”
Stories They Don’t Teach You At School follows 2024’s Songs for the Deceased. Venn Records is also home to Bob Vylan, Gallows, High Vis and CLT DRP.
A UK instore tour runs from October 9th-15th, taking in Norwich, Coventry, Leeds, Oxford, Southsea, Kingston and Brighton.
Tracklist:
- Welcome
- Rotten Fruit (ft. Steve Ignorant)
- Rags to Riches
- Council Estates
- Depression
- Kelly
- Be The Hammer
- The Chancer
- Housing For All
- Bullet
- Life Is Not A Rehearsal
- Frankie’s Theme
Stories They Don’t Teach You At School – out October 9th via Venn Records.
UK LIVE DATES – INSTORE TOUR
- 9/10 – Venus Vinyl, Norwich
- 10/10 – Just Dropped In, Coventry
- 11/10 – Crash, Leeds
- 12/10 – Truck, Oxford
- 13/10 – Pie & Vinyl, Southsea
- 14/10 – Banquet, Kingston @ The Fighting Cocks
- 15/10 – Resident, Brighton
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005. He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Cara Magazine, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, co-founder of Lumo Club, event curator, Indie Sleaze club promoter, and producer of gigs and monthly listening parties & events in Dublin.
