The Mary Wallopers - "The Idler"

Photo by Sorcha Frances Ryder

"The Idler" is one of three original songs on The Mary Wallopers upcoming album. This one lands more on the folk side of folk-punk, as it's just Sean McKenna on vocals and acoustic guitar. That doesn't mean the Irish band are getting soft for this single. "The Idler" is one of the most biting and vicious songs of the year and attacks landlords, the clergy, the taxman, and xenophobes. You can just hear the venom dripping off of this song, and others should take note of how folk-punk can be done. The Mary Wallopers are more punk on this one than most bands playing what is considered punk nowadays. 

Sean McKenna says of the band's new song:

“The song was written in response to the scapegoating and vilification of ordinary people just doing what they need to do in order to keep struggling through life, rarely harming anyone. Meanwhile those in positions of power, the ones who often create or uphold such situations, are held in high esteem and regarded as pillars of the community. In essence it is a simple call to punch up, not down.” 

You can watch the video for "The Idler" below. Irish Rock 'n' Roll is due out October 13, and is available for pre-order here. For more on The Mary Wallopers, check out the band's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the video.

10/11 - Philadelphia, PA @ Foundry

10/12 - Vienna, VA @ Jammin Java 

10/14 - New York, NY @ Irving Plaza

10/15 - Boston, MA @ Middle East

10/18 - Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern SOLD OUT 

10/20 - St. Paul, MN @ Amsterdam Bar & Hall

10/21 - Chicago, IL @ Martyrs

10/24 - Vancouver, BC @ Biltmore SOLD OUT 

10/25 - Portland, OR @ Holocene

10/27 - San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill

10/30 - Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour

10/31 - San Diego, CA @ Voodoo Room at HOB 

11/9 - Bristol , UK @ Trinity

11/10 - London, UK @ Forum Kentish Town

11/11 - Manchester, UK @ Academy 2  

11/12 - Cardiff, WL @ Tramshed

11/15 - Folkestone, UK @ Quarterhouse 

11/16 - Oxford, UK @ The Bullingdon 

11/17 - Brighton, UK @ CHALK 

 11/18 - Liverpool, UK @ Academy Liverpool

11/19 - Norwich, UK @ Epic Studios 

11/22 - Exeter, UK @ Phoenix 

11/23 - Wolverhampton, UK @ Wulfrun 

11/24 - Northampton, UK @ Roadmender

11/25 - Sheffield, UK @ The Leadmill 

12/7 - Dublin @ Vicar Street 

12/8 - Dublin @Vicar Street

12/9 - Belfast @ The Telegraph Building 

12/13 - Edinburgh, UK @ The Liquid Room

12/14 - Dundee, SC @ Fat Sams 

12/15 - Aberdeen, SC @ Lemon Tree

12/16 - Glasgow, SC @ Barrowland Ballroom

12/20 - Galway, IE @ Leisureland 

12/21 - Kilkenny, IE @ Langtons Ballroom

12/22 - Limerick, IE @ Big Top 

12/23 - Cork, IE @ City Hall