Finally we have an Irish band playing punk as opposed to the usual punk band playing Irish we normally deal with here. More correctly the Steam Pig are a Dublin band playing punk (none of that Cultchie shite here).

I don’t know a hell of a lot about this CD actually. It seems to be a recent recording of older tracks from 97/98 including a few written by Godsy the bands late vocalist who died under tragic circumstances a couple of years ago. I’m not sure if these tracks have previously seen the light of day elsewhere or not.

Musically the Stream Pig are a solid blast of fast street punk with touches of hardcore, oi and Motorhead along with some Thin Lizzy style guitar harmonies (about as traditional Irish as it gets). Lyrically the Steam Pig are three or four steps above the average punk band with a combination of brilliant Dublin wit and observations and some real insightful lyric’s into Irish life (“A Barefoot Walk on Dollymount Strand”) and it’s relationship with the Catholic church. Also check out the lyrics to the un-P.C. but catchy as hell “Stoneybatter Me” guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.

Will probably be my favorite punk CD of the year at years end.

April 2002