Meryl Streek

Politically-outspoken Irish avant garde punk producer MERYL STREEK is pleased to reveal the video for his new single ‘If This Is Life’ set for release on 16th May 2023 via Venn Records (Bob Vylan, Wargasm, High Vis).

Recorded and mixed at Darklands Audio by Daniel Doherty (Fontaines D.C.) and mastered by Grant Berry at Fader Mastering, the standalone track is the first new material from Streek since the release of his acclaimed 2022 debut album 796, with a second pressing available from all good record stores on 12th May 2023 following a sold out first run.

The song features appearances from longtime collaborators Molly Vulpyne and Phil Wyer, with guitars by Pete Holidai from legendary Irish punk band The Radiators From Space, and a sample of Irish academic and author Rory Hearne speaking about the Irish housing crisis.

Commenting on the new single, Streek says: “In my mind, it's a straightforward pop song while still holding onto the same Meryl message. It's written about the current state of Ireland and how the housing crisis is affecting families across the country on a massive scale. The eviction ban has been lifted and the landlords are evicting families onto the streets once again, with 11,754 people living in emergency accommodation at the start of this year and no sign of it getting any better. That includes 1,609 families, with 3,431 children in homelessness. 55% of them are single-parent families and we've still got the same corrupt government turning a blind eye and not admitting their mistakes. It's an absolute joke, and people need to start speaking up about it.”

The music video was shot in a great local barber shop called The B Club in Drumcondra, Dublin and was directed by Peter Kingston who has worked on every video from the artist thus far. The video also stars musical collaborators Vulpyne and Holidai.

Elsewhere, Meryl Streek and his collaborator and conspirator, Irish artist Spicebag (aka Adam Doyle), have been hitting headlines across the country for their political stand against the housing crisis.

“I let Spicebag sell some of his prints depicting an old eviction with gardai photoshopped into it at my Dublin gig last month for charity, and Sinn Fein housing minister Eoin Ó Broin—who was at the gig—saw the print and shared the image on his Twitter account causing all hell to break loose,” explains Streek of the connection. “Politicians had him talking on every news outlet here in Ireland and they went nuts about it in every newspaper. Spicebag is also making me a new design for a tote bag at the moment and makes all of Kneecap’s merch designs.” 

Fresh from support slots with rising homegrown stars Benefits and Kneecap, Streek hits the road with punk icons Dead Kennedys and US rock trio A Place To Bury Strangers later this week before heading out on his own run of May 2023 UK headline tour dates, which are on sale now (see below for listings).

More info on debut album 796:

Streek’s 2022 underground hit debut album 796 is out now on Venn Records (Witch Fever, Bob Vylan, Wargasm) following a sold out first pressing, receiving a swathe of critical acclaim and radio play for its acerbic and vital political commentary and boundary pushing take on 21st century punk.

Mixed by Dan Doherty (Fontaines D.C., Damian Dempsey) at Darklands Audio Dublin, 796’s rapid success was in part down to string of hard-hitting and relatable singles ‘False Apologies’, ‘Yesterday’, ‘Death To The Landlord’, and ‘Suicide’.

Addressing the Irish Catholic Church abuse scandal, issues of alcoholism, the housing crisis in Streek’s native homeland, and male suicide rates, respectively, the vitriolic tracks resonated deeply with fans around the world, winning Streek a legion of fierce supporters almost instantaneously.

Mostly recorded at home in his Vancouver apartment over the best part of a year, 796 is perhaps one of the most visceral, important political records of the decade—a deeply personal and vitriolic calling card that sets Streek out as a gifted and timely new voice. Fittingly for such a politically-charged record, some of the drums were recorded in a Vancouver studio that was home to Rage Against The Machine's self-titled album.

The record was championed internationally at press by LOUDER, Rolling Stone France, Louder Than War, The Irish Daily Star, Beats Per Minute, Hot Press, Nialler9, NARC. Magazine and more, with staunch radio support from Steve Lamacq at BBC 6music, RTE2, BBC Radio Ulster, Total Rock, Amazing Radio and many more.

For the most part a devastating condemnation of the shameful Catholic church abuse scandal in Ireland, penned following the findings of The Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation, forthcoming debut album 796 is an emotionally volatile and heart-wrenching collection of cutting edge punk that pushes genre boundaries whilst traversing extremely challenging political subject matter with aplomb and vitriol.

Commenting on the album, Meryl Streek says: “The album is for anyone that has been affected by the Catholic Church’s crimes and those that feel that the government not only mistreated them but took away their voice along with it. I've always been drawn to bands that say what they think loudly and clearly. I grew up hearing A House, Guernica and Sack speaking their minds, the punk movement too. I'm coming from the same place but with melodies and pop music so hopefully people will stop and listen to what I’ve got to say.”