“This is a collection of stories about betrayal, murder, injustice, and corruption.” Irish punk hero Meryl Streek announces “vicious” second album Songs For The Deceased, shares single Paddy

Meryl Streek
(Image credit: Venn Records)

Dublin punk Meryl Streek has shared the first single from his incendiary second album, Songs For The Deceased.

A live set favourite, Paddy is a tribute to the musician's uncle Paddy, and features lyrics such as, “He chose not to work because he had too much to learn on his own terms and this man was one of the smartest I ever knew. I respected him because he chose to play by his own rules.”

Streek describes the album, which is set for release on October 25 through Venn Records and is now available for pre-order, as “a collection of stories about Betrayal, Murder, Injustice, and Corruption.”

“I know what it’s like to feel betrayed and hurt,” he says, “and I want to devote my life to helping others as best I can. The music may sound vicious to some, but times are changing and the government here in Ireland aren’t.” 

“It was only when I finished recording the new album I realised I had made a record that revolved around people and events around my hometown of Dublin. Now, I admit it's not always a pretty picture I'm painting, and it probably never will be, but these are cases that desperately need awareness.” 

“It’s not just happening in Ireland,” he adds, “it’s happening around the world and we’re supposed to just take it lying down?”

The album features guest appearances from Benefits frontman Kingsley Hall, Cal Graham from The Chisel, and Oliver Ackermann from A Place to Bury Strangers.

Watch the video for Paddy below:

Meryl Streek - Paddy - YouTube Meryl Streek - Paddy - YouTube
Watch On

Meryl Streek has also lined up album in-store appearances for October, and a UK headline tour for November.

See him rage at:

Oct 25: Coventry Just Dropped In
Oct 26: Norwich Venus Vinyl
Oct 27: Kingston (Fighting Cocks) Banquet
Oct 28: Southsea Pie and Vinyl, Southsea
Oct 29: The LP Cafe, Watford

Nov 07: Newcastle Lubber Fiend
Nov 08: Manchester Soup Kitchen  
Nov 09: Sheffield Hallamshire Hotel
Nov 10: Southampton Joiners
Nov 12: London Lower Third
Nov 13: Brighton The Hope & Ruin
Nov 14: Bristol Crofters
Nov 15: Birmingham Actress & Bishop

Tickets go on sale at 10am on July 5, here.

Paul Brannigan
Contributing Editor, Louder

A music writer since 1993, formerly Editor of Kerrang! and Planet Rock magazine (RIP), Paul Brannigan is a Contributing Editor to Louder. Having previously written books on Lemmy, Dave Grohl (the Sunday Times best-seller This Is A Call) and Metallica (Birth School Metallica Death, co-authored with Ian Winwood), his Eddie Van Halen biography (Eruption in the UK, Unchained in the US) emerged in 2021. He has written for Rolling Stone, Mojo and Q, hung out with Fugazi at Dischord House, flown on Ozzy Osbourne's private jet, played Angus Young's Gibson SG, and interviewed everyone from Aerosmith and Beastie Boys to Young Gods and ZZ Top. Born in the North of Ireland, Brannigan lives in North London and supports The Arsenal.