Irish post-punk quartet Scustin have announced a new EP, The Lock In, due on 22 April, alongside the release of its lead single, ‘Dodgy Box Pyramid Scheme’. The track arrives after a fast-moving year of headline shows, festival appearances and high-profile support slots, including dates with Inhaler at The Royal Albert Hall, Ulster Hall in Belfast and St Anne’s Park in Dublin.
Over the past year, Scustin have built momentum across the UK and Ireland, lighting up stages at Electric Picnic, Latitude, Wilderness, Wild Paths, SXSW London, Sŵn Festival and Other Voices. Their reputation rests on live performances that collapse the gap between band and crowd, turning gigs into communal events driven by rhythm and movement as much as melody. Comparisons to Viagra Boys, Warmduscher and Getdown Services follow naturally, but Scustin’s appeal lies in their own mix of disorder and groove.
Produced by Richie Kennedy, whose credits include Interpol, The Murder Capital, Shame, Ride, The Libertines and The Last Dinner Party, ‘Dodgy Box Pyramid Scheme’ refines the group’s groove-led approach into something heavier and more direct. Distorted bass and guitar lines sit against dancefloor-ready rhythms, while unexpectedly breezy hooks carry a layer of social satire. The band lean fully into their post-punk instincts, delivering a track that is both abrasive and playful.
Joe Hearns explains the song’s origins: “The song came from a moment when one of the regulars in the pub I worked in actually tried to get me to join a pyramid scheme. That, combined with our genuine belief that paying for a TV licence is a bigger scam than joining a pyramid scheme, planted the seed. It’s also about that mad pub optimism, where every idea sounds bulletproof after two pints. We wanted it to feel fun, ridiculous and a bit unhinged, but still hit hard and make you move.”
The new single marks the start of the rollout for The Lock In, described as a closing chapter to Scustin’s debut album, Confessions Of A Pub Talker. The album drew widespread acclaim, alongside playlist support from Apple Music’s New in Alternative and New in Rock, and radio play on RTÉ 2FM, BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Radio Foyle and Amazing Radio.
Scustin will support the release with an extensive Irish and UK headline tour in February and March, followed by major festival appearances later in the summer. UK dates include Glasgow, Leeds, Stroud, Bristol, Manchester, Birmingham and London, with a confirmed slot at 2000 Trees Festival in July 2026.
Upcoming Live Dates 2026:
March 6th – McChullis, Glasgow
March 7th – The Lending Room, Leeds
March 8th- The Prince Albert, Stroud
March 10th – The Louisiana, Bristol
March 11th- The Rat & Pigeon, Manchester
March 12th – Hare & Hounds 2, Birmingham
March 13th – Shacklewell Arms, London
July 2026 – 2000 Trees Festival