Dublin’s Scustin don’t have spectators at their shows, only participants. It’s a wild celebration of togetherness, where craic, culture, and chaos blend into one unforgettable gig. Through their beloved pastime of “Pub Talkin’”, Scustin invite the audience to join them at the table, pint in hand, for a night of storytelling, shenanigans and ‘the craic’ that might echo the vibe of your most revered pub. Scustin leave audiences with no choice but to dance, sing along, and become part of the community they create at every show.
The band’s now release their debut concept album Confessions Of A Pub Talker introducing listeners to Larry, a cheeky, charming barman who acts as both narrator and confessor in a fictional Irish pub. But Larry isn’t just a character; he’s a vessel for something much deeper: the lived reality of Irish pub culture as the band has experienced it from both sides of the bar.
“The idea for Larry came out of spending years behind the taps and also on the other side of them,” explains their eloquent and animated frontman Joe Hearns. “Irish pubs are way more than just places for pints. They’re like modern-day churches. People come in looking for connection, for ritual, for someone to talk to.”
With Confessions Of A Pub Talker, rather than depicting the pub as a site of excess, Scustin portray it as a communal refuge. “We wanted to push back against the cliché,” says Joe. “The pub isn’t about getting locked. It’s about love, grief, business ideas, confessions…it’s all there. And Larry is the guy who sees it all.” Through Larry, Scustin weave stories full of heart and humour, turning each track into a snapshot of life in the public house, complete with its messy, magical humanity.
Nowhere is this duality clearer than on their single ‘I’m Never Flying With Ryanair Again’. It’s a riotous, hilarious track on the surface, but underneath lies a sharp critique of blame culture. “We overheard someone say that line in an airport “I’m never flying with Ryanair again” and it cracked us up,” he explains, “but then we started thinking, that’s exactly how the world feels right now. Everyone’s looking for someone to blame. Whether it’s about politics or masculinity or the economy, we’re all passing the buck.”
That layered commentary, socially aware yet deeply entertaining, is something the band consciously strive for. “We love making people laugh, but we want them to think too,” says Joe. “If you can do both in one song, you’re onto something.” Bringing the energy of their notorious live shows into the studio wasn’t easy, but with the help of producer Richie Kennedy, they found the right balance. “It finally felt like we were able to be ourselves in the studio,” says Joe. “Richie’s a fellow Irishman, so he just got it. He made space for us to be a bit mad, a bit sentimental, and a bit theatrical, just like our gigs.”
The band drew from real-life moments for inspiration, incorporating old voice notes, skits, and even actual pub conversations into the recording process. “Some of the lads had recordings from nights out or random chats at the bar. We’d sit down and listen to them, and they’d spark lyrics or ideas,” Joe recalls. “We also cooked meals for each other every day, had the odd beer, and just talked. That sense of community seeped into the sound.”
Musically and thematically, Confessions Of A Pub Talker finds its home somewhere between satire, swagger, and sincerity. They say the key is just being honest. “We’re serious about not taking ourselves too seriously,” laughs Joe. “But that doesn’t mean we don’t care. If a song makes you laugh and then makes you think, then we’ve done our job.” This honesty extends to their songwriting, which often walks a fine line between character work and autobiography. At the heart of all this is the band’s ethos: ‘Scustinism’. But what does that actually mean?
“For us, it really just means community,” says Joe. “It’s about coming together with a smile on your face, being open to the people around you, and creating space for connection. In a way, it’s a subversion. The word Scustin comes from ‘disgusting’, and let’s face it, there are plenty of things that are happening around the world today that fall under that descriptor. We want to be the antithesis of that. Scustin is about letting go of ego and pretence. Whether you’re dancing and singing with us in a sweaty basement venue or just connecting to the stories on the album, it’s all about feeling part of something bigger. It’s about meeting new people, being present, and feeling human again even just for a moment.”
“Those opportunities feel like they’re getting rarer in today’s world, and we want to hold on to them. When someone’s got that “Scustin” mindset, you can feel it instantly. They’re open, kind, a bit mad in the best way and always up for a laugh. That’s what ‘Scustinism’ is all about.”
Though their sound is rooted in Irish pub culture, the band believes the themes are universal. “The pub isn’t just Irish, it’s anywhere people come together, drop their guard, and share something real,” says Joe. “It’s like a secular confession box. You go in carrying stuff and come out a bit lighter.” Scustin are part of a long tradition of Irish storytelling, where wit and wisdom go hand in hand. Humour is a big part of what makes that connection possible. “We deliberately use comedy as a way into deeper conversations,” Joe explains. “There’s so much madness out there right now…political noise, media spin, outrage culture. Comedy cuts through that. It invites people in.”
That storytelling has clearly struck a chord, with fans ranging from musicians like Grian Chatten (Fontaines D.C.) and Kojaque to UFC’s Meatball Molly and comedians like Darren Conway. “It’s mad, honestly. We’re grateful,” says Joe. “There’s a real sense of community in the Irish arts scene right now, especially with more people speaking up politically, supporting each other, and standing for something.” Politics, they say, has always had a place in music, and always will. “We don’t get the idea that art shouldn’t be political. Art’s always been political. It reflects the world, it questions it. That’s part of the job.”
As Joe puts it: “It’s not about the pint. It’s about the people around it.”
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