Peer Pleasure aren’t just a band—they’re a force of nature, an unrelenting whirlwind of garage rock chaos that thrives on distortion, sweat, and the kind of live energy that makes rafters shake and floors tremble. Since their formation in 2021 as a lockdown project, the Irish collective—featuring Brandon Murphy, Conor Kavanagh, Cein O’Dowd, Erik Murphy, Jack Joyce, Jeff Miller, Joel Pitcher, and Oisin Conroy—has been tearing through venues with a DIY ethos that’s taken them across Europe and beyond.
Their reputation as one of Ireland’s most explosive live acts isn’t just talk. 2023 and 2024 saw them play a staggering 84 shows, turning up the heat at major festivals like Electric Picnic (twice) and Ireland Music Week, while bringing anarchy to squats and underground venues in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany. Whether it’s Whelan’s Ones to Watch or a makeshift stage in a reclaimed Dublin building, Peer Pleasure bring the same level of raw intensity, keeping their performances as unpredictable as their sound.
March 2025 saw them cross the Atlantic to play four blistering shows at New York’s New Colossus Festival, tearing up iconic venues like Berlin Club, Pianos, and Baker Falls. The reception was electric—American audiences got a taste of what European crowds already knew: Peer Pleasure don’t play shows, they start riots.
Now, as they set their sights on a debut full-length album, Work Allergic, their latest EP, serves as a potent preview of what’s to come. Releasing via the ever-reliable Fuzzed Up & Astromoon Records, this record is a testament to the band’s evolution—a messy, fuzz-drenched, beautifully unhinged ride that refuses to be tamed.
‘Kicking off the EP, ‘Weed Addict’ immediately immerses listeners in Peer Pleasure’s signature garage rock grit. The track opens with a raw, fuzz-laden guitar riff that stop starts around the woozy vocals. The lyrics, delivered with attitude and humour, delve into to enjoyment of the herb, painting a vivid picture of youthful defiance. The chorus is particularly infectious, with its “I’m a Weed Addict” mantra embedding itself into your psyche.
Transitioning seamlessly, ‘Take It’ introduces a slightly more melodic approach without sacrificing the band’s raw edge. The interplay between gritty guitar lines and a pulsating bassline creates a dynamic soundscape that’s proper catchy. The track’s structure builds tension masterfully, culminating in a climactic outro that leaves listeners wondering, was that the Beatles chord??? ‘Take It’ shows Peer Pleasure’s ability to balance melody with their characteristic garage rock intensity.
With ‘Nowhere Nice’, the EP takes a darker, more introspective turn. The song’s brooding atmosphere is established through moody synth pads before that band come crashing in. The vocals, drenched in reverb, convey a sense of disillusionment and yearning. The chorus swells with a haunting melody, encapsulating the feeling of being trapped in a place—both physically and mentally—that offers no solace. The lead guitar tone on here has given me pedal envy! I need to know how they did that.
‘Rest In Bits’ reignites the EP’s high-octane energy with a super saturated 60’s pop reinvention. There are some nice moments where we step out of that mood with some guitar lead parts that would sit well in a hair metal band. That may sound bonkers but it totally works. Mixed with the organ parts it sounds amazing.
Closing the EP, ‘The Real Thing’ encapsulates the essence of Peer Pleasure’s musical identity. The track seamlessly blends elements of garage rock, punk, and even hints of psychedelic influences. The band are on point working as a unit creating a layered and textured sonic palate, with swirling guitar solos and a driving rhythm section providing a solid foundation for the impassioned vocals. ‘The Real Thing’ serves as a fitting conclusion to Work Allergic, leaving listeners with a lingering sense of both satisfaction and anticipation for what’s to come.
Work Allergic is an EP that grabs you by the collar, shakes you until your teeth rattle, and then leaves you in a sweaty, euphoric daze. Peer Pleasure aren’t here to make things easy—they’re here to make things LOUD. This is the kind of record that makes you want to quit your job, move into a van, and start a band immediately. It’s messy, it’s cathartic, it’s alive. If this is a preview of their upcoming LP, we might not survive it. But what a way to go.
The Work Allergic EP is out via Fuzzed Up & Astromoon Records on April 4th 2025. Make sure and also give the band a follow on the Peer Pleasure Bandcamp page.
You can follow Peer Pleasure on social media here…
Discover more from Static Sounds Club
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Static Sounds Club 