IRKED are a proper punk band from the North East of England, formed in late 2022. Drawing from the raw energy of
modern garage punk, ’80s hardcore and eggy post-punk, the band have quickly built a reputation for their fierce, high-
energy sound and uncompromising live shows; a chaotic, upfront mix of intensity, dark wit and clarting about.
Ahead of their self-recorded, self-titled debut EP IRKED (2024, Wrong Speed Records), they were already named BBC
Introducing ‘Ones To Watch 2024’’, the release garnered support from BBC Radio 1 (Alex Holcombe), BBC 6 Music
(Craig Charles, Marc Riley, Gideon Coe, Emily Pilbeam, Tom Robinson), alongside The Quietus, Maximum Rocknroll,
Louder Thank War, and a feature on Bandcamp Release Radar.
IRKED’s debut album The Grievance is due for release in April 2026 via Wrong Speed Records. Produced by Sam
Grant (Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs, Witch Fever, Richard Dawson) and mastered by Jason Sanderson (Rolo
Tomassi, 65daysofstatic, Ginger Wildheart), the album was part-funded by PRS Foundation’s Open Fund for Music
Creators. A limited 7” release of the album track “The Hardest Man in Billingham” followed in 2025.
The band have toured extensively across the UK, including a Spring/Summer 2025 tour supporting Pigs Pigs Pigs
Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs, and sharing stages with the likes of Uranium Club, Swami John Reis, Part Chimp, Big Joanie,
Benefits, Hey Colossus, Savak, Loose Articles, The Unit Ama and House of All.They were shortlisted for Green Man
Rising 2025, and made festival appearances at Manchester Punk Festival, NOISE ANNOYS, Clamlines, Wrong Speed
Festival, Twisterella Festival, Summer Streets BBC Introducing Stage, Rough Trade Records Rock Against Racism
and more.