Unvetted: Episode 2
A Strand of The MOTH NEWS Podcast, MOTHCAST
Welcome back to Unvetted, where we dig into the stories that the mainstream media just isn’t telling. On this strand of the MOTH NEWS Podcast, MOTHCAST, our head reporter Philip O’Connor sits down with past, present, and potential future guests of the broadcast for in-depth conversations about the topics that matter, the stories behind the headlines, and the voices often left unheard.
This week’s guest is none other than politically outspoken, avant-garde punk artist Meryl Streek. Meryl is an artist who doesn’t just make music—he makes noise, statements, and bold calls to action. He’s furious at the Irish government, outraged by the ongoing housing crisis, and unafraid to channel his anger into art.
Meryl sat with Philip to discuss it all: the government policies that have him fired up, the housing crisis that’s left so many struggling, and how his music acts as both an outlet for his rage and a rallying cry for change. It’s an honest, raw, and unfiltered conversation that dives deep into the intersection of art, politics, and personal rebellion.
For those unfamiliar with Meryl’s work, his debut album 796, released on the independent label Venn Records and produced by Dan Doherty (of Fontaines DC fame), has been making waves in the punk and alternative music scenes. The title refers to the 796 children who died at the Tuam Mother and Baby Home in Ireland—an example of how Meryl uses his music to shine a spotlight on the darker chapters of history and hold those in power accountable.
Don’t just take our word for it—Rolling Stone’s Francis Zégut called the album, “powerful and rebellious, brave and acid... holy shit it’s good!” Zégut compared Meryl’s sound to the energy of Killing Joke, the defiance of The Sex Pistols, and the chaotic brilliance of The Prodigy. With tracks like “False Apologies” clocking in at nearly six minutes of unapologetic intensity, 796 is punk with purpose—an unrelenting, scathing critique of societal failures.
So tune in as Meryl Streek and Philip O’Connor dive into the stories behind the music, the inspirations that drive him, and the fight for a better Ireland. This episode of Unvetted is a must-listen for anyone who believes in the power of art to challenge the status quo.
Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.
And as always, keep your ears tuned to MOTH NEWS for the stories you won’t find anywhere else.
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