Single Of The Month - "Come In and Play" by Frenchy and the Punk

Occasionally you come across a band or artist that sound strangely familiar or everything you imagined the innovators, the trailblazers, the poets, the troubadours from the 13^th century would sound like if they were making music during these modern times. You can hear the sheer quality of their music, that breaks the mould and redefines post-punk. So hearing Frenchy and the Punk for the first time, did feel like I was listening to something special or music that liberally rips up the rule book and glues back the pages with a mosaic collage of improvisation and originality. They are a whirlwind of energy, that regresses and next evolutionary layer of the present day. You see when you listen to Frenchy and the Punk, it’s like seeing the timelines of neo-folk, prog-rock, new wave and post-punk in one take. They are an amazing band who alternate effortlessly between the genres and sub-genres of alternative rock, creating a lasting impression. They are also a band whose interludes, witchy-wails, and plucky strums, create a palette of seasonal shifts, dreamy escapades and wistful insights.

Comprised of vocalist, percussionist and lyricist Samantha Stephenson and guitarist-composer Scott Helland, who was co-founder and bassist of Outpatients and also Deep Wound (along with Dinosaur Jr. founders J Mascis and Lou Barlow), Frenchy and the Punk are a dynamic duo, whose eclectic riffs zig-zag , pog-jump and tinkle around the circumference of the sunny days of outdoor festivals, moonbeam gatherings and cosmic rebellion. They are beguiling bohemianism, whose stunning vocals are a powerhouse of ethereal purity and uber-cool soul tripping. Think Florence Welch, meets Grace Sleek, meets the Au Pairs and Debra Harry during her “Wind in the Willows” days, then you get the idea of the range, style and high calibre that Stephenson oozes. As the lead singer of the band, Stephenson is a sublime performer, who completely captivates and takes the echo-laden tones of neo-folk to the ethereal heights of new-wave. Diverse and colourful, Stephenson along with Helland dip into the archives of art-rock, whilst offering a celebratory and poetic catharsis.

Formed in 2005, Frenchy and the Punk, have an impressive backlog of albums which has won them critical aclaim and an ever-growing fan base. Originally called The Gypsy Nomands, they changed their name to Frenchy and the Punk in 2011, during their European tour and have been making waves ever since. With a new album “Zen Ghost”, released on 28^th October 2022, Frenchy and the Punk have proven their staying power and talent at making music that brings out their nomadic spirit, that free-flows with a fluidity of sounds. Taken from their new album, their latest single “Come In and Play” revisits Frenchy and the Punk’s origins of neo-folk and adds an ethereal wave of post-punk. It’s a hypnotic track, whose angular riffs dip into the DNA pool of new wave, whilst jangling under the silver moon of dark wave. Like visceral vaudevilles, Frenchy and the Punk, alternate vocally between the chambers of Celtic-rock, whilst harmonising aside the plucky acoustics and orchestral breeze of neo-classicism. It’s a great track, that once again highlights the versality and star quality of Frenchy and the Punk, that shines and illuminates from a mystical source of guitar-laden music.

‘Zen Ghost’ CD pre-order https://batfrogs.com/product/zen-ghost-cd

Come in and Play’ is now out everywhere, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp, where ‘Mon Souvenir’ can also be found. The ‘Zen Ghost’ album will be released on October 28th 2022 and is available for pre-order digitally via Bandcamp and on CD via the band’s website.

CREDITS
All songs written by Samantha Stephenson and Scott Helland
Samantha Stephenson – lyrics, lead vocal, percussion, keyboard
Scott Helland – guitar, bass, drums, backing vocals
Jason Sarubbi – upright bass on ‘Church of Sound’
Braxton Bellew – additional electric bass on ‘Church of Sound’
Recorded and mixed by Jason Sarubbi at Split Rock Studios, New Paltz, NY
Mastered at The Cage, Coventry UK by Martin Bowes
Cover photo by Alice Teeple
Pen and ink drawings by Scott Helland
Album cover design by Scott Helland and Samantha Stephenson

TOUR DATES
Oct 08 Poughkeepsie, NY – Gallery 40
Oct 15/16 Shepherdstown, WV – Shepherdstown Fae Festival
Oct 22 Nyack, NY – Prohibition River Live
Oct 28 Baltimore, MD – FaerieCon
Dec 2 Camden/London – Black Heart (with Beyond Victoria & Flesh Tetris)
Dec 10 Exeter, UK – Yule Ball
Feb 4/5 Manchester, CT – Stupid Cupid Steampunk Festival
Feb 18/19 Gettsyburg, PA – MythiCon Festival
April 01 Galveston, TX – Galveston Steampunk Festival
April 8-9 Baltimore, MD – Between The Worlds
April 15/16 Chicago, IL – Chicago Steampunk Expo