Clwb Music

Today, Cardiff's Panic Shack return with their first new music since this year's acclaimed debut EP Baby Shack. It comes in the guise of new single 'Meal Deal', a towering, fiery return that seals their place as one of 2022's hottest prospects, a year that's seen them sell out the vinyl edition of Baby Shack immediately (with a repress on sale now!); tour across the UK and beyond with shows alongside the likes of Los Bitchos, Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard, Orlando Weeks, and Bob Vylan as well as joining Yard Act for a bunch of sold-out shows; feature prominently at radio with playlists across BBC 6Music and Radio 1, as well as being interviewed by Craig Charles, Steve Lamacq, Jack Saunders and more; and play breakout festival slots everywhere from Reading and Leeds, The Great Escape and BBC 6Music Festival to DIY Alive, 2000 Trees and beyond.

'Meal Deal' takes a wonderfully subversive look at an unprecedented time in recent British history. Originally written as a simple ode to a much-loved lunchtime staple, it's taken on new meaning as we find ourselves in the shadows of a winter ahead that will find many struggling to stay above the waterline - a ferocious indictment of the cost-of-living crisis and an anthem for those struggling to makes ends meet.

Of the track, Panic Shack offer:

"We wrote 'Meal Deal' back in 2020. It was once almost an ode to the meal deal, declaring our love for our favourite combos, but since then we’ve got a bit more to be angry about and are annoyed that meal deals are still all we can afford.

"We would regularly get meal deals on our lunch breaks. We’d get 30 minutes to run to Boots or Tesco, have a cig and scoff it down before having to be all smiles again on the shop floor, but to keep spirits high we’d send each other our combos and rate them. For example, ready salted crisps, a ham sandwich and a water would get nil pois, obviously. We truly believe your meal deal says a lot about you.

"The new and improved version, however, is less focused on the actual meal deal itself and more towards what the meal deal represents... being skint. In true Shack style we are keeping things relatively light but still giving our two pence on the current state of living."

'Meal Deal' comes accompanied by a video - directed by Ren Faulkner - that combines footage of recording the track at Rat Trap Studios with Tom Rees of Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard with outtakes of the band making regular trips to stock up on meal deals for studio sustenance.

Of the clip, the band write: "We wanted the video to be rough and ready much like the sound of the song; it also gave us a few extra pennies to go towards the sandwich, crisps and drink combo that we love dearly. Being absolutely skint is pretty bleak: the message speaks for itself so we didn’t want to dwell on that. We wanted to capture the fun we have when we’re together, to contrast what we’re talking about in the song (because god knows we need a break from the doom and gloom in the news). We hope you enjoy spending a few minutes behind the scenes on Planet Shack. (P.s don’t judge the Red Bulls.)"

Alongside their upcoming UK dates, which include shows with Yard Act and a stop-off at Swn Festival later this month, the band also announce a new run of 2023 shows today including a Valentine's Day London date at The Lexington. Expect choreographed dance routines, vitriolic punk ragers and a party atmosphere that's unparalleled on the circuit right now. Don't miss one of the most singular live shows out there when it swings through a town near you.

The band's sold-out debut EP Baby Shack is now back on sale on vinyl while stocks last and includes all of the band's singles to date, including instant classics 'The Ick', 'Who's Got My Lighter?', 'Mannequin Man' and more, which between them have received plaudits at press from the likes of NME, DIY, Dork, Guitar Magazine, Gigwise, Upset, Beats Per Minute and more, alongside radio support from Amy Lamé, Steve Lamacq, Huw Stephens and Jack Saunders among others. The EP was recorded by Tom Rees of Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard at Rat Trap Studios. The band call it "the first incarnation of the shack; Baby Shack if you will... a representation of our experiences and friendship: raw, honest and always chaotic."