Frenchy and the Punk explained

Frenchy and the Punk
Origin:New York City, United States
Years Active:2005–present
Label:EA Recordings
Associated Acts:Scott Helland, Guitarmy of One, Deep Wound, Outpatients, The Gypsy Nomads

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]

Sound and style

Their sound has "elements of cabaret 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]

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. He was also a member of the NYC Hardcore bands School of Violence and Darkside NYC in the nineties. He began releasing solo instrumental records in 1996 and started the all instrumental spy noir, surf themed project Guitarmy of One which has released 2 albums in the late 2000s.[14]

2014 and beyond

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 2016, they performed in England, Canada and across the US. In 2019 they performed in West Africa in Grand Lahou, Ivory Coast. The duo has been touring year-round since 2005.

In January 2019 they released a video for the song Lanky Bell Bottoms from their forth-coming album Hooray Beret. The 10 song album was released in April 2019 with 3 music videos for the songs 'Sing', 'Wah', 'Lanky Bell Bottoms' and 2 lyric videos for 'Monsters' and 'Fastball'. [16]

Discography

See also Scott Helland

Albums

YearTitleNameLabel
2007Thread & Stone[17] The Gypsy NomadsExotic Aquatic Recordings
2008Eternal Summer[18] The Gypsy NomadsExotic Aquatic Recordings
2008At the Carnivale Eclectique[19] The Gypsy NomadsExotic Aquatic Recordings
2010Happy Madness[20] Frenchy and the PunkEA Recordings
2011Live at Bube's Brewery DVDFrenchy and the PunkEA Recordings
2012Hey Hey Cabaret[21] Frenchy and the PunkEA Recordings
2013Elephant UproarFrenchy and the PunkEA Recordings
2014Cartwheels EP[22] Frenchy and the PunkEA Recordings
2014Bonjour BatfrogFrenchy and the PunkEA Recordings
2016Batfrog Tracks Lyric & Photo BookFrenchy and the PunkParis Punk Press
2019Hooray BeretFrenchy and the PunkEA Recordings
2020The Storm is Call for Rebuilding (Single)Frenchy and the PunkEA Recordings
2021Hanging on the Telephone (Cover)Frenchy and the PunkEA Recordings
2022Zen GhostFrenchy and the PunkEA Recordings
2023Cities in Dust (Cover)Frenchy and the PunkEA Recordings

Featured in compilations

See also

References

  1. Web site: Dynamic Duos — Two For The Price of One!. www.yahoo.com. 10 May 2012 .
  2. Digitalis, Raven: "Goth Craft", page 14. Llewellyn Worldwide, 2007
  3. Block, Jordan: "Sepiachord Interview", http://www.sepiachord.com/index/interview-frenchy-and-the-punk/ 2013
  4. Web site: Frenchy and the punk « Search Results « ATLRetro . 2013-06-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141006140407/http://atlretro.com/?s=frenchy+and+the+punk . 2014-10-06 . dead .
  5. Web site: Come to the cabaret. Chris. Parker. Colorado Springs Independent.
  6. Web site: New Threads: New tunes from Gypsy Nomads, Mad Dog and the Smokin' Js and Deadbubbles. 5 December 2017 .
  7. Web site: High Energy Steam-Powered Pixies! An interview with Frenchy and the Punk . 2013-06-24 . https://archive.today/20130624232306/http://steampunkchronicle.com/ArticleView/tabid/238/ArticleId/437/High-Energy-Steam-Powered-Pixies-An-interview-with-Frenchy-and-the-Punk.aspx . 2013-06-24 . dead .
  8. Web site: Steamstock: Frenchy and the Punk. steampunk-music.com.
  9. Web site: Here Come the Drums! . 2013-06-24 . https://archive.today/20130624231359/http://steampunkchronicle.com/ArticleView/tabid/238/ArticleId/397/Here-Come-The-Drums.aspx . 2013-06-24 . dead .
  10. Web site: Frenchy and the Punk - The Chase - Official Video from DVD. www.youtube.com.
  11. Web site: Chronogram Magazine - February 01, 2011 - CD Review: The Gypsy Nomads . 2013-06-24 . https://archive.today/20130624232305/http://archives.chronogram.com/issue/2011/2/Music/CD-Review-The-Gypsy-Nomads . 2013-06-24 . dead .
  12. Web site: Chronogram Magazine - July 01, 2008 - the Gypsy Nomads . 2013-06-24 . https://archive.today/20130624232320/http://archives.chronogram.com/issue/2008/7/Music/The-Gypsy-Nomads . 2013-06-24 . dead .
  13. Cogan, Brian: "The Encyclopedia of Punk", page 74. Sterling Publishing, 2006
  14. Book: Steven. Blush. Steven Blush. George. Petros. George Petros. American Hardcore: A Tribal History. Oct 1, 2001. 244. Feral House. 9780922915712. Aug 10, 2017.
  15. Web site: Frenchy and the Punk - Edinburgh 2014. August 18, 2014.
  16. Web site: Frenchy and the Punk - Lanky Bell Bottoms (Official Video) . YouTube.
  17. Web site: Thread & Stone - The Gypsy Nomads | Songs, Reviews, Credits. AllMusic.
  18. Web site: Eternal Summer - The Gypsy Nomads | Songs, Reviews, Credits. AllMusic.
  19. Web site: At the Carnival Eclectique - The Gypsy Nomads | Songs, Reviews, Credits. AllMusic.
  20. Web site: Happy Madness - Frenchy and the Punk | Songs, Reviews, Credits. AllMusic.
  21. Web site: Hey Hey Cabaret - Frenchy and the Punk | Songs, Reviews, Credits. AllMusic.
  22. Web site: Ninja Fish Music : Album Review: Cartwheels (2014). May 20, 2014.
  23. Web site: Blood in the Soundtrack, a review of "Steampunk" Volumes 1 & 2 . 2013-06-24 . https://archive.today/20130624232257/http://steampunkchronicle.com/ArticleView/tabid/238/ArticleId/188/Blood-in-the-Soundtrack-a-review-of-Steampunk-Volumes-1-2.aspx . 2013-06-24 . dead .

External links