Wildstreet at The Piranha Bar: Heart Over Hype

By I Am Lorelei!

On Friday night, Wildstreet stormed the Piranha Bar in Montreal on the second stop of their three-date Canadian mini-tour, sharing the bill with three other bands, but as I watched the crowd dance and sing along, there was no doubt in my mind who owned the night. The Brooklyn-based glam-punk warriors carried the weight of nearly two decades of rock history into a room that pulsed with anticipation.  

The timing couldn’t have been sharper: just hours earlier, Wildstreet released their new single “When It’s Gone” (Nov. 21, 2025). Co-written with Todd Long of Ghosts of Sunset, the track is a testament to the band’s ability to balance raw honesty with arena-sized ambition. Built on thunderous drums tracked at Virtue & Vice Studios with Anthony Gallo, and polished by longtime producer Kyle Kelso, the song blends the DNA of Wildstreet’s 2009 debut with the grit of their current lineup. Fans are already calling it “massive,” “built for volume and heart,” and it’s easy to see why.  

This isn’t the first time Eric Jayk and Todd Long have struck gold together. Their earlier collaboration, “Won’t Be Apart” (2022), carried the same emotional weight, proving that when these two write together, the results are both timeless and urgent.  

Montreal marked the second date of a planned three-date Canadian run. When the Ontario show was cancelled, Wildstreet refused to let fans down—they turned the setback into an opportunity, rehearsing and streaming the performance online so their community could still share in the energy. That decision speaks volumes about their ethos: Wildstreet isn’t just about playing shows, they’re about building connection.  

Live, the Montreal set was a collision of ’80s glam swagger and modern punk rawness, with Eric Jayk’s vocals cutting through like a blade and the band’s chemistry undeniable. Even in a multi-band lineup, Wildstreet carved out their own moment of dominance.

And the night didn’t stop there. The final band on the bill had a surprise guest: none other than a former Anthrax bassist, Dan Lilker, who jumped on stage and tore through three songs with them. It was a jolt of thrash pedigree that electrified the room and reminded everyone how unpredictable and alive rock shows can be.  Lilker was the original bassist and co-wrote and played on Anthrax’s first album, “Fistful of Metal.” 

For me, the journey itself underscored the devotion this band inspires. Crossing into Canada, I was pulled over at the border, questioned about my intentions, and searched. When I explained I was photographing Wildstreet—a Brooklyn band worth every mile—I pulled out a photo of Eric Jayk. The officer took one look, recognized the passion behind my words, and waved me through. That moment captured what Wildstreet means: they’re not just a band you listen to, they’re a band you chase, a band you fight to see.  

Wildstreet proved once again that rock doesn’t have to blow your mind—it has to move your heart. “When It’s Gone” is proof, and their live show is the exclamation point. For those who doubt whether rock can still matter, Wildstreet is the answer.

Photography by I Am Lorelei!