Is punk having a resurgence, or did it never really disappear?

Either way, The Murder Capital are bringing it back to the forefront of our minds and ears.

Joining the ranks of talent emerging from the Emerald Isle this year such as Fontaines DC, Dublin quintet The Murder Capital are releasing their debut album, “When I Have Fears” on the 16th of August.

It’s a hotly-anticipated release, considering that the band currently are sustaining their shows off the back of three released singles.

“It definitely feels good, and we’re excited just to get it out there,” guitarist Damien tells me.

Following their debut with an in-store album opener in Mono on the 19th and a headline gig at King Tut’s on the 16th of October, the momentum gained in the last year doesn’t look as if it’ll be slowing down.

In fact, when I spoke to Damien, he was with the band enroute to a session for Steve Lamacq on BBC6 music – and I had started my day off by switching on the radio to hear their single “Feeling Fades” over the airways.

So what is it about The Murder Capital that has captured the hearts of so many audiences across the country?

“We’re all living in Dublin, but we’re from different parts – I’m from Cork,” says Damien.

“It’s influenced the music in the sense that the people we’ve been hanging out with end up becoming a bit of you.

“We’ve been exposed to loads of interesting people working in the capital city.

“Punk is a small thing, but it’s definitely there.”

Although the King Tut’s date will be the first gig The Murder Capital have played with an album behind them, it is not the first time that they’ve played Glasgow.

“We’ve played Glasgow about three times. We just came back from Doune the Rabbit hole, and we’ve played in Sleazy’s too.

“We definitely like playing Glasgow. You get a lot of people ready to dance, whereas in other places the crowds can be a bit more static.

“In Glasgow you can definitely feel the energy.”

In comparison to their contemporaries such as Fontaines DC, Slaves or Idles who have had a more realisable trajectory, The Murder Capital have managed to gain a cult following with a minimal amount of released music – something almost staggering today, where many people find new music and cultivate their tastes through streaming rather than live gigs. How have they already come so far?

“I don’t really know to be honest. With Fontaines DC, there was a bit long build up. We’re riding on the coat-tails of their success, really,” Damien joked.

“We’ve been very fortunate the way things have happened.

“The music scene in general is more vibrant than it has been in a long time. There are loads of bands in different shapes and sizes, and I think there is a mentality now with the internet and things, that everything’s in your grasp and it’s all achievable, which is nice.”

The Murder Capital, when they started up, expressed that they had a ‘genuine desire for cultural change’. Arguably, we are in the most tumultuous and turbulent times, both politically, socially and culturally. Punk, traditionally, challenges the order of things. My question is, how do you change what has already been transformed, and do the band still feel motivated by that desire?

“We used to say that at the start, but I’m not sure if it was a naive or a grand ambition,” Damien says.

“I guess you just want to use your position. Being in a band you have a certain platform. There is a responsibility to that, and you can use it to highlight certain topics.”

Which topics are most pertinent? “I think mental health. It sounds like such a grand ambition but it has to start with helping the issues that start with you and your friends. Everyone is worried about climate change, but the change has to start at home.”

Although they may be hoping to change the world with their music, the band are joining the ranks of iconic legends who have played King Tut’s.

“It’s a very cool venue with a great name as well.”