Crass legend Steve Ignorant joins Meryl Streek on a broadside against fake news, media manipulation and the relentless grind of the 24-hour news cycle

Words by Felix Bartlett | June 08, 2026

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Meryl Streek has announced his second album, Stories They Don’t Teach You At School, and shared its lead single Rotten Fruit, featuring Trom and Crass vocalist Steve Ignorant.

The record follows 2024’s Songs For The Deceased and arrives October 9 via Venn Records.

Rotten Fruit is exactly what the name suggests: something poisoned at the source. The track takes aim at the media machine, fake news and the particular kind of hopelessness that sets in when you’ve watched one too many breaking news alerts that change nothing. Having Ignorant on board feels fitting.

“I, along with many others, wouldn’t be doing this music without Steve’s years of work and to have him on this track with me means a lot,” Meryl says. “I think it turned out great and I hope Crass fans like it as much as Meryl Streek fans.”

Ignorant is equally direct about the album itself, calling it “a kick in the arse and a smack in the face” and saying it does what politicians won’t: tell the truth.

The record’s title earns its keep too. Meryl puts it plainly: “We’re not pre-warned about issues like depression, addiction, homelessness and cost of living. These are matters we’re forced to deal with later in life, with zero preparation.”

Listen to Rotten Fruit below: