Photo Credit: Derek Bremner “While some people try to avert their eyes from the hardships unfolding, Meryl Streek places two firm but well-intended hands on their head, and turns it to make them face the chaos” – Kerrang! “The most incendiary and important punk rock album of the year” – Louder “Artists such as Meryl Streek are important to not only entertain us but to provide us with knowledge on issues we will probably not be aware of” – Clash Magazine “That is hands down the best show I have been to in years” – Far Out Magazine 3rd April, 2026 – Today, Irish artist Meryl Streek announces his 3rd album, Stories They Don’t Teach You At School – out 9th October via Venn Records (Bob Vylan, Gallows, High Vis, CLT DRP and more), with lead single ‘Rotten Fruit’ featuring Steve Ignorant (CRASS) & TROM out 3rd June. LISTEN TO ‘ROTTEN FRUIT’ FEATURING STEVE IGNORANT & TROM HERE PRE-SAVE SONGS THEY DON’T TEACH YOU AT SCHOOL HERE Meryl Streek is an angry, one-man-operated punk band from Dublin, Ireland. Having previously been supported by the likes of Clash Magazine, Louder Than War, Rolling Stone UK, Far Out Magazine and Kerrang!, his previous album Songs for the Deceased was also named one of Louder’s ‘Best Punk Albums of the Last Decade’. The new single, “Rotten Fruit,” explores how media shapes our perception of daily news, where we wake up each day to a steady stream of negative stories controlled by news outlets. It reflects feelings of lost hope and being overwhelmed by negativity, while questioning the decisions made by world leaders that seem to push society further backwards. Watch the new music video here. This first album taster features Steve Ignorant from legendary UK anarchy punk pioneers CRASS. Speaking of this guest appearance, Meryl Streek says, “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. I think it turned out great and I hope CRASS fans like it as much as Meryl Streek fans.” Steve Ignorant adds about the upcoming album, “It’s kick in the arse and a smack in the face, this album does what politicians don’t – tell the truth” – and that is exactly what this new album does. ‘Stories They Don’t Teach You At School’ taps into life lessons and the harsh realities of living in modern Ireland. According to Streek, “we’re not pre-warned about issues like depression, addiction, homelessness and cost of living. These are matters we’re forced to deal with later in life, with zero preparation”. Lead single, ‘Rotten Fruit’ tackles media control, the deadening onslaught of fake news across our screens, and the stream of fear emitting from the palm of our hands. ‘Council Estates’, directs attention to governments failing the working class. ‘Kelly’ describes an ongoing case tagged as a “Contested Cause of Death”. On St. Patrick’s Day 2024, a young woman called Kelly Lynch was found dead in the Ulster Canal in Monaghan Town. Gardaí initially treated the death as a tragic drowning, then a suicide. But independent forensic reports, commissioned by her family, concluded that her body sustained extensive injuries, and a private pathologist suggested she died as a result of a violent assault. The mission statement is clear, if no one will speak out, Meryl Streek will. To push his music to new places, featured artists are not something Meryl Streek has previously shied away from. His previous record, Songs For The Deceased featured collaborative artists such as Cal Graham (The Chisel), Kingsley Hall (Benefits) and Oliver Ackerman (A Place to Bury Strangements). To help Streek tell his stories on this upcoming album, other musicians, speakers and comedians have joined the choir. ‘Rotten Fruit’ features Steve Ignorant of anarcho art collective CRASS. ‘Depression’ begins with words from music lover and late friend Liam Norton, accompanied by the guitars of Pete Holidai from The Radiators From Space. Comedian Phil Jupitus lends his voice and words to the outro of ‘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 (Adibishi Shank) on the hard hitting ‘Bullet’. Phil Wyer (Owl Sounds) also lends some guitars throughout the record as well as Sophie Porter (Other Half). Finally, to send the album home, there’s a three minute spoken word piece from viral sensation Frankie McNamara, best known for his Instagram series and book ‘Meditations for the Anxious Mind’. Much like a teacher, Meryl Streek is sharing his knowledge and experience, uncovering ugly truths yet pressing for change. Compassion, resilience, and the importance for community – lessons that are often overlooked in school. In his Irish counterpart, Sinead O’Connor’s 1990 protest song ‘Black Boys on Mopeds’, the late singer delivers the line, “To say what you feel is to dig your own grave”. Now Meryl Streek is holding the shovel. ALBUM ARTWORK | 
