Galway post-punk outfit Slyrydes return with new single ‘Gatekeepers’ released via beloved local label Blowtorch Records.
‘Gatekeepers’ builds on the band’s July 2026 standalone release ‘One Is Too Many’ with a more studio-influenced direction than the primal live feel of their early releases. Lyrically, the track sees the band address the “rampant cronyism that permeates through Irish arts funding and indeed public funding in Irish society generally.” The single was once again produced by their long time collaborator Dan Doherty (Fontaines D.C., Denzel Curry, Hope Sandoval, The Jesus and Mary Chain), owner of Darklands Audio Studio in Dublin city centre, who has now joined Slyrydes as a full time member. Mastering comes courtesy of Pete Maher (U2, The Killers, Noel Gallagher).
Originally forming a decade ago and releasing their first batch of singles between 2018 and 2021, Slyrydes quickly achieved critical acclaim and were initially championed by Paul McCloone (The Undertones), Fontaines D.C., and many more titans of the arts across Ireland and beyond. Recorded during the dark days of the pandemic and then shelved for several years as the band drifted apart, they finally came back together to release their momentous debut album, What Happens If You Get Happy?, through Blowtorch Records in July 2025.
Not many independent artists could can an entire album for half a decade and still release it to a hungry and appreciative audience, but that’s testament to the strength of Slyrydes’ music and message. A seismically important and poetic punk record that speaks with conviction and passion about the most important societal issues of the day, specifically and notably addiction and the mental health and housing crises in Ireland, it gained them a cult following who eagerly await each new release from the ever-unpredictable quartet, no matter how long it might take.
“The worst thing about it is it’s still lyrically relevant,” said vocalist Mark Raftery (Rafto) in a 2025 interview with God Is In The TV Zine about the album’s delayed release. “Even more so possibly. Nothing’s changed in five years, nothing’s got better, in fact it’s probably worse. So if you look at it from that point of view, it’s really depressing.”
“It’s the truth, it’s honest,” added bassist Eoin Reilly (Fuz). “That’s what it is. That’s the art. We’re not trying to get famous. This is important. Rafto sings about important shit, and we fucking agonize over the three chords or 10 chords. We really fucking care so we made a record that we all care about.”
Slowly dipping their toes back into the live performance waters in 2025 with two shows in Ireland, there are plans for a busy 2027. With new blood Doherty driving them to record and release as much new material as possible, it looks like second time could be the charm for a band who just don’t know how to quit. Live the band recently appeared at WestxWest Festival in Ireland, and have been invited to play Post Punk Strikes Back Again in Porto this autumn with further live dates to be arranged.
Slyrydes Live Dates
November
10 – Whelans, Dublin (with Savage Hearts)
29 – Post-Punk Strikes Back Again, Porto, Portugal
For more information on Slyrydes please check their facebook and instagram.