An Slua. A band that manages to combine the melodiousness of Oi! with the uncompromising punch of anarcho-punk, and instead of the clichéd pub rhymes about weekend beer drinking, they sing about evictions, Ireland’s revolutionary history and animal liberation.
This is raw news from the West Coast, where humor meets everyday misery and a deep respect for the tradition of resistance against oppression. In a candid interview, Mic talks about why it still makes sense to pull out the spades from under the thatch in 2026, what it’s like to win a war with your landlord for a roof over your head, why they’re not on Spotify and what it means to him to be part of the oi punk family, which should leave no one behind.
What was the main spark that, after Mic’s return from Canada, turned „beer talk about starting a band“ into an actual working lineup?
The original four of us played in bands before I moved to Vancouver to be with my misses, who’s Canadian. So when we decided to move back to Ireland playing with the boys again always felt natural. Shane the guitarist is my younger brother and David our other guitarist grew up across the field so was always over and was raised like a brother to us. Eugene is also from our small village and has been our friend since we were teens. Bernard aka Dregin joined the band after the LP on bass because I was shite at doing both haha. Our orignal intent was let’s just do an ep and see what happens and thankfully labels who are friends wanted to release it! It’s not lost on us that we’re lucky to receive any help at all.
Mic, you spent seven years in Vancouver. How much did this distance from Ireland help you clarify what An Slua should be about? Did you get involved in the subcultural scene there, and did it inspire you in any way?
The Punk scene in Vancouver is amazing. I learned alot from it; here in Ireland gigs are often in pubz but over there it was a healthy mix of DIY spaces/under bridges etc. I love the militancy of diy culture there. Alternate Action/Bishops Green, No Heart, Phane, Buzzers from BC, Canada are all good friends of mine and they were a huge influence.
It was 100% Punx and Skins and I loved it. I liked to think I brought some of that back with me.
The name An Slua (meaning „The Crowd“ or „The Host“ in Irish) sounds very collective. What does it mean to you? Is it an expression of the band being a voice for a wider community?
Runnin Riot are a huge influence on An Slua and whenever I saw them everyone sang along. They were an Oi! Band of course but everyone sang along, Crusties, Punx, Hardcore Kids and Skins. It was pure unity music that was made for everyone. So when we started An Slua we definitely wanted to make it a point make music that the whole crowd could feel connected to.
After five years on the scene, what keeps driving you forward? Is it pure rage, or do you see it as a form of therapy?
It feels like it’s only been a year and we’re only getting started as a band even after five years. So that’s a good sign I think haha.
I think scenes need local bands to rally around and sing with. I need other bands/zines/promoters as much as people need An Slua if that makes sense. We don’t care about getting big or making money but just to be apart of the tradition of Irish Punk/Oi! means a lot to us. Definitely it’s therapy haha!
Reviews often mention that you blend the spirit of Oi! with a UK82 sound and anarcho-punk. Was this a deliberate musical „plan,“ or did these influences just naturally collide in the practice room?
I don’t think it was super deliberate, musically when we write riffs we naturally write Oi!. I think because I also love Anarcho that vocally it can have that Flux Of Pink Indians/Exit-Stance protest style chanting. We also love uk 82 so it felt natural to include some faster elements in An Slua. Can’t beat that sound.
How do you perceive the difference? Oi! is often about pride and strength, while anarcho-punk focuses on critique and analysis. How do you balance these two energies within the band?
I think Punk/Oi! should be anti-oppression at its core but what I love about Oi! though is that it allows you to write political songs with a bit of tongue and cheek without losing the original message. It’s the same with traditional Irish music to me. You can write serious songs and elements of humour and it still doesn’t loose its bite. Thats humanity like, pretending you’re 100% serious all the time as a band isn’t real. But also being afraid to write lyrics that are political or might make people uncomfortable is silly as well. You have to be who you are as a band, show every shade of yourselves. A lot of bands do hard tough guy posing lyrics which I think is boring and rarely feels genuine. I’m all for fighting when you need to but making a record about how tough you are is silly.
In a previous interview, you mentioned the influence of Runnin‘ Riot from Belfast. What does that band and their legacy mean to you today? And what other bands have shaped your taste?
They’re still my favourite band and definitely other members of An Slua’s favourite band too. Our bassist was in Runnin Riot for a bit on guitar which is cool to get to say haha! They were the basic blue print for us as a band. Lyrically they were tough as nails but added tongue in cheek into everything which is definitely the Irish way. You have to laugh with misery to get by sometimes. All three records are 10/10.
The Brass were a huge influence in starting An Slua, the desperation ep is still the best 7″ I’ve ever heard. Also The Press/Oppressed were massive too. Also Oi Polloi which we’ve obviously ripped off a good bit haha. As far as more local bands I would say Section 4, Skint, Ructions and The Jollars were huge influences when we started and still are. The Pogues are huge for An Slua as well. Shane’s lyrics of fusing love and misery can’t be matched. That’s definitely something Ireland does well.
Your music has strong melodies, but the lyrics are very sharp and biting. Is this a contrast you consciously try to achieve?
I think all of us definitely write with a pop hook in mind everytime we write a song. In every song I listen to I’m waiting for The Ramones chorus really haha. And lyrically I don’t think I’d be able to filter my lyrics to make them more vague. I’m probably too blunt and obvious haha.
As long as there’s a good hook it’s easier to digest serious lyrics I think.
In the Oi! punk genre, drinking beer and „weekend revolt“ are basically mandatory topics. You clearly avoid them. Why is that? And what is your personal relationship with alcohol?
I’ve never drank and have always been straight edge and don’t really hang in pubs often unless it’s at a gig. I’m a bit of a Skinhead hermit in that way.
Everyone in the band drinks bar myself and 99% of my friend’s drink. So it’s not something I’m uncomfortable with but as I get older I probably have less tolerance for being around super messy people when it comes to drink or drugs.
What is your songwriting process? Are the lyrics momentary outbursts of anger, or do you sit over them like you’re writing a political manifesto?
I’d say it’s a bit of both, Usually I’ll come up with a song title first pretty much every-time. Then write the lyrics around the title. It’s an odd way of doing it but if the song title is very deliberate then I want to keep the lyrics focused on the one subject.
And I do make it a point to use phrases or ideas from the west of Ireland specifically. I always loved when bands brought out where they’re from in their band. Instead of pretending we’re all from London or California. I definitely over write lyrics and don’t leave a lot of gaps, which isn’t intentional I think I just don’t like long gaps of no vocals. So they do come off a bit more urgent because of this.
In the lyrics for Plan of Campaign, you mention Constance Markievicz and James Connolly. In Agrarian Agitation, you mention the O’Halloran sisters. For people who might not be familiar with Irish history, can you introduce these figures and explain why they remain important to you in 2026? And what do you think they would say about modern Ireland?
Constance Markievicz and James Connolly were both legendary Irish revolutionaries/socialist. Both coming from very different backgrounds. Constance Markievicz came from an Anglo-Norman upper class back ground. Whereas James Connolly was born in the slums of Edinburgh but both fought for years for workers rights and were viciously anti capitalist. They both fought in the 1916 rising and James Connolly was shot dead in a chair because he couldn’t stand for his execution due to being wounded.
The O‘ Halloran sisters who along with their family fought off bailiffs and police who were evicting them out of their homes in Clare. They were only teens as well, what legends.
Could you explain the phrase „pull the pike from under the thatch“ used in the song Fed Up?
During the 1798 rebellion and other rebellions we wouldn’t have had many guns. So the best thing we had was large pikes for fighting and they were often kept under the thatch/roof hidden against British forces.
How do you view the legacy of the IRA? Is it a closed chapter of history for you, or is it still a living issue that shapes Irish identity?
I think the time of armed struggle in Ireland is gone. We have to get reunification by showing everyone that an Ireland where we take care of people over American/Euro cooperations is the Ireland we all need. One where racism is smashed out and everyone is taken care of. In saying that I don’t condemn anyone who uses force against an occupying government.
The British government is the real criminal in the conflict and people often romanticize the battle against the UK up until 1921. Then anyone fighting for independence after that a terrorist which is madness to me. The Irish Free state didn’t do enough for the Irish in the six counties. Did the IRA do some bad things? Absolutely. But we have to remember, one side was civilians with little to no military experience and the other was an Empire. It was never going to be an equal battle. I have huge respects for any native who fights colonialism world wide.
Irish reunification is described in one of your songs as something that’s just being „kicked down the road.“ Do you believe you’ll live to see it?
Yep, i definitely believe it’ll happen within 15 years. I’m an eternal optimist of course but the conversation has thankfully shifted. The UK doesn’t care about the 6 counties, though my vision is a new healthier Ireland that’s for everyone.
Songs like Agrarian Agitation or Work Shy cut deep into the housing crisis. How much does this issue affect you personally or the people around you in Galway?
My wife and I and our 3 year old have been getting evicted out of our home for 3 years and thankfully fought it along with one of our neighbours. The landlord painted the apartments then raised the rent by €1,000. Then turned them into air bnbs when they couldn’t find people to pay that. Thankfully we fought them hard and they ended their Airbnbs. We also won against our landlord and they had to remove the eviction. Thankfully my wife and I are lucky and recently bought a 200 year old cottage in mayo with whatever money we could scrape together with loans. It’s small and cold but we can grow veg and don’t have a landlord anymore! Haha.
Everyone I know is getting evicted then the landlord turns them into illegal Airbnb’s which they’re all unregistered and illegal. It’s the biggest issue in Ireland and I’m sure the world right now.
Galway used to be a city of artists and rebels. In your opinion, how much has it been ruined by tourism and AirBnB?
Yeah I think it really has, Galway is amazing but like many European cities now it’s just flooded with tourist. It doesn’t feel like a lived in city anymore to me. The govt needs to stop catering for tourism and make in an affordable place for all who live here.
Do you feel a growing tension in Ireland due to the widening wealth gap?
Yep and sadly a lot of racist nut jobs will blame it on immigrants instead of the multi millionaire/billionaire bastards who are screwing us all over.
In the song Big Man Yeah?, you mention the Liosbán industrial estate. How important is it for you to include specific local landmarks and realities in your lyrics?
I always loved when bands sang about their daily lives and where they lived. I like to be able to read a bands lyrics and get an idea of where they’re from. As the world gets more infected with social media etc, local art seems less local and could be from anywhere.
The song On Your Plate is very radical for the Oi! scene, with a clear message. How do „traditional“ skinheads and punks—those who can’t imagine a weekend without sausages and beer—react to it?
Weirdly enough we haven’t seemed to got any push back as of yet haha. I know so many skins who believe in animal liberation but it’s definitely a topic that’s gone to the wayside in all counter culture/Punk in general.
I wrote „on your plate’s“ lyrics in my head whilst protesting outside of a slaughterhouse every Saturday. So those lyrics still make me think of seeing those chickens jammed into crates and the workers having to breathe in that smell all day. Pure hell for everyone, except the CEO.
In your animal rights song Mountain of Rubbish, you sing that we are just „perfumed shaved apes with a god mentality.“ Is veganism a logical conclusion of your philosophy of equality?
Absolutely I think we should be removing oppression where possible and if we don’t need to kill to live healthy lives then we shouldn’t right ?
I think as long as you can back it up and be able to talk about it I don’t think you should avoid any lyrics.
You included the song Saoirse don Phalaistín in the Irish language. Why did you choose your native tongue for the topic of Palestine?
My Irish isn’t great but I’ve been trying to get better over the last few years. Ideally I’d like to sing only Irish but that could be a few years. It wasn’t intentional to write it in Irish but just felt write with the music.
As Irish people, do you see the Palestinian struggle as a reflection of your own history of colonization and resistance? From my perspective, there are so many differences that it might not seem like a perfect fit—but I’d love to hear your take on it.
I think Irish people have always felt a connection to Palestine or the Basque Country. Probably because the same forces who left Ireland in 1922 went off to Palestine to occupy the natives there. That doesn’t mean we know exactly how say the Ojibwe of North American feel but we probably have a better foundation to understand than a lot of countries id say. Ireland was England’s first colony and prototype for what they would do the world over. So we can definitely relate to other colonized people.
What have the reactions been like to your open support for Palestine during shows outside of Ireland?
We’ve gotten some negative feedback from Zionist saying they were dumping our records etc. But we couldn’t give a shite what they think anyways. For the most part it’s been very positive, in Ireland everyone supports Palestine for years and years thankfully.
In your opinion, is there such a thing as an „Irish national character“? Is it that ability to make fun of everything, even in the darkest of times?
I think you’re spot on with that, I think if we have any skills it’s to see humour in the misery of life.
How do you perceive the global Irish diaspora? Do you feel part of a global Irish network? I notice it on our website—whenever we post anything Irish, other Irish people like and share it immediately. It doesn’t seem to work that strongly with any other nationality.
I think being Irish has definitely helped us as a band. So many people around the world have an Irish granny or parent so look to Ireland for music.
While we’re at it, give us some recommendations for other Irish bands we should definitely check out.
Check out Sympos, United Bottles, Section 4, Skint, The Jollars, Ructions, Grit, Rant, Takers n Users, Rural Hate, Flower Power, Surge, Special Branch, Bartape, Mucker, Axis Of, Strong Boys, Hunger Pains, Native, The Nilz, Rats Blood, Okus, Fiend and I do bass In a new band called Local Battalion that’s releasing an lp soon!
In the song Gifts From Galway, there is a strong sense of local pride and love for your home. If someone visits the city, what are the „must-see“ spots—both in terms of landmarks and clubs or bars?
Conamara is heaven on earth, it’s a beautiful part of the world. 4 of us are from a village called Dunmore but it’s not the prettiest haha.
The Crane bar is a lovely spot for traditional music that we all enjoy.
The artwork for your releases is unique and easily recognizable. How did the collaboration with Sean Fitzgerald come about? How much input do you have into the covers? Are there specific places depicted on them? Anything extra a fan shouldn’t miss?
Great question! Seán is a legendary Punk artist in Ireland. He loves up in Donegal and is easily my favourite Irish artist ever. I’ve loved his art for years and when we asked him to do art he was 100% in. He does alot of work for activist or pagan groups and I love the guy! He’s a huge part of An Slua.
The Dolmen from the ep is donegal and so is An Grianán which is on the lp. We want Seán to do every release we ever do. Hes magical.
How important is visual style for a band today, when most people only see a tiny icon on a screen?
For me, style in Punk and Oi! Is huge. It’s what attracted so many of us to the music. We love keeping with the rough look of Punk but to bring in Irish art fuses us completely.
Your decision to stay off Spotify is quite unique these days. What has this „digital boycott“ taken away from you, and what has it given you in return?
I think as a positive we feel more genuine to the bands message, If the ceo funds the war machine then we have to Oi!cott them as best we can. I’d say we have lost money and we fans from not using it but not huge amounts of money. Ideally I’d love to not use Instagram either but I got outvoted haha!
You offer your music for free on Bandcamp to those who can’t afford it. How many people have actually reached out to say they can’t afford it but would like the record? How did that make you feel?
We def had a few people msg and to me that feels more like how I got into Punk/Oi! Of course every artist would love to break even but I’d rather anyone who wants our music to be able to hear it. I’d rather see someone bootleg our shirt than not be able to wear one. Of course if you’re skint we’ll give ya a shirt too!
We’re nearing the end. What does „success“ mean for An Slua? What should a person take away in their head after one of your shows?
For us being able to carry on the Irish Punk/Oi! Tradition means the world to us and creating as much unity as possible. And to be able to be apart of the international Punk/Oi! Community as well.
If people leave a gig feeling like they’re not alone that is the dream for us.
Is there a question you’ve always wanted to be asked but never were? Now is your chance. Go for it—and feel free to answer it too.
Haha that’s a hard one! Maybe favourite book? I always like knowing a bands favourite books. Mine would probably be Brendan Behan’s- Borstal Boy, it’s pure humanity with all the Irish charm and dirt you’d want.
That’s all. Thanks for the interview! If you have any final words for our readers, the floor is yours.
Thank you sincerely for evening considering us for your fantastic zine. We’re a bit isolated in Ireland sometimes which can be good and bad so we do appreciate getting any help in people hearing An Slua. Especially from a zine I read weekly!
Try to help and lift others up, eat your veg and up the Skins and Punx.
DISCOGRAPHY:
How Ya Gettin‘ On ? EP (Discos Enfermos, Tough Ain’t Enough Records, LSM Records, Mister Face Records, Distr-Oi Records, 2022)
Split: Red Bricks, The Uncouth, An Slua, Reckless Upstarts – Intercontinental Oi (Smith & Miller Records, Insurgence Records, 2024)
Sure Look It LP (Longshot Music, Distr-Oi Records, 2025)
