Frenchy and the Punk
Frenchy and the Punk are a Euro-American Acoustic Alternative post-punk cabaret duo based in New York City. They were listed in the top 25 duos in May 2012 by Yahoo Music Blog's List of the Day.[1] Punk guitarist Scott Helland, originally from the bands Deep Wound and Outpatients, formed Frenchy and the Punk with singer Samantha Stephenson in 2005. The group was originally called The Gypsy Nomads.[2] They adopted their nickname Frenchy and the Punk prior to their first European tour in 2011.[3]
Frenchy and the Punk | |
---|---|
Origin | New York City, United States |
Genres | Folk Punk Punk cabaret Rock post-punk Alternative Rock |
Years active | 2005–present |
Labels | EA Recordings |
Associated acts | Scott Helland, Guitarmy of One, Deep Wound, Outpatients, The Gypsy Nomads |
Website | www |
Sound and Style
Their sound has "elements of cabaret, gypsy and rock" [4] on par with The Dresden Dolls and Gogol Bordello[5] and Stephenson's vocal style has drawn comparisons to Siouxsie Sioux from Siouxsie and the Banshees.[6][7] Guitarist Scott Helland is known for creating a wall of sound onstage and has been "using looping guitar techniques since the 90s" [8] Another facet to Frenchy and the Punk's sound is their drum instrumentals that mix a Taiko-esque feel with a Carnival of Rio intensity.[9][10]
French Connection
Stephenson was born in Lyon, France [3] and her autobiographical song "Yes! I’m French" offers the witty line "When those jokers served up freedom fries / I saw Lady Liberty rolling her eyes."[11] They released the all French CD Eternal Summer in 2008 with Samantha "crooning sultry, original French pop tunes in a classy cabaret fashion." [12]
The Punk Connection
Guitarist Scott Helland was a founding member of the legendary Massachusetts hardcore punk bands Deep Wound with J Mascis and Lou Barlow[13] and Outpatients in the early eighties.[14]
In 2014, after the release of their 4th full length album Bonjour Batfrog, Frenchy and the Punk performed at Scotland's prestigious Edinburgh Fringe Fest.[15]
In January 2019 they released a video for the song Lanky Bell Bottoms from their forth-coming album Hooray Beret.[16]
Discography
See also Scott Helland
Albums
Year | Title | Name | Label |
---|---|---|---|
2007 | Thread & Stone[17] | The Gypsy Nomads | Exotic Aquatic Recordings |
2008 | Eternal Summer[18] | The Gypsy Nomads | Exotic Aquatic Recordings |
2008 | At the Carnivale Eclectique[19] | The Gypsy Nomads | Exotic Aquatic Recordings |
2010 | Happy Madness[20] | Frenchy and the Punk | EA Recordings |
2011 | Live at Bube's Brewery DVD | Frenchy and the Punk | EA Recordings |
2012 | Hey Hey Cabaret[21] | Frenchy and the Punk | EA Recordings |
2013 | Elephant Uproar[9] | Frenchy and the Punk | EA Recordings |
2014 | Cartwheels EP[22] | Frenchy and the Punk | EA Recordings |
2014 | Bonjour Batfrog | Frenchy and the Punk | EA Recordings |
2016 | Batfrog Tracks Lyric & Photo Book | Frenchy and the Punk | Paris Punk Press |
2019 | Hooray Beret | Frenchy and the Punk | EA Recordings |
Featured in Compilations
- "Blood in the Sky Steampunk Compilation CD" (2012-Frenchy and the Punk)[23]
- "The Artifice Club Audio Companion" CD (2013-Frenchy and the Punk)
References
- "Dynamic Duos — Two For The Price of One!". www.yahoo.com.
- Digitalis, Raven: "Goth Craft", page 14. Llewellyn Worldwide, 2007
- Block, Jordan: "Sepiachord Interview", http://www.sepiachord.com/index/interview-frenchy-and-the-punk/ 2013
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-10-06. Retrieved 2013-06-24.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- Parker, Chris. "Come to the cabaret". Colorado Springs Independent.
- "New Threads: New tunes from Gypsy Nomads, Mad Dog and the Smokin' Js and Deadbubbles".
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-06-24. Retrieved 2013-06-24.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "Steamstock: Frenchy and the Punk". steampunk-music.com.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-06-24. Retrieved 2013-06-24.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "Frenchy and the Punk - The Chase - Official Video from DVD" – via www.youtube.com.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-06-24. Retrieved 2013-06-24.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-06-24. Retrieved 2013-06-24.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- Cogan, Brian: "The Encyclopedia of Punk", page 74. Sterling Publishing, 2006
- Blush, Steven; Petros, George (Oct 1, 2001). American Hardcore: A Tribal History. Feral House. p. 244. ISBN 9780922915712. Retrieved Aug 10, 2017.
- "Frenchy and the Punk - Edinburgh 2014". August 18, 2014.
- "Frenchy and the Punk - Lanky Bell Bottoms (Official Video)". YouTube.
- "Thread & Stone - The Gypsy Nomads | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
- "Eternal Summer - The Gypsy Nomads | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
- "At the Carnival Eclectique - The Gypsy Nomads | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
- "Happy Madness - Frenchy and the Punk | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
- "Hey Hey Cabaret - Frenchy and the Punk | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
- "Ninja Fish Music : Album Review: Cartwheels (2014)". May 20, 2014.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-06-24. Retrieved 2013-06-24.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)