Frenchy and the Punk – War On War
New York-based postpunk / alt-rock duo FRENCHY AND THE PUNK are back with a new video, declaring ‘War on War’.
Formed in 2005 by SAMANTHA STEPHENSON and SCOTT HELLAND, co-founder of Deep Wound (with Dinosaur Jr. icons J Mascis and Lou Barlow) and Outpatients, and also his solo music project Guitarmy of One. They also announce their spring tour, including dates on the East Coast, Midwest and the UK.
For this release, the duo worked with WILLIAM FAITH (The Bellwether Syndicate, Faith and the Muse) and HILLARY JOHNSON, who has worked with Jeff Buckley, The Misfits, Rufus Wainwright, The Ramones and Nile Rodgers.
“This song is not only about war but also the deterioration of truth and destruction of progress. It’s the belief that the majority of people in this country and the world do not want to go backwards and do not want to see bloodshed,” says Samantha Stephenson.
“It is the frustration that the few, fueled by greed and lust for power, who manipulate for their and their cronies’ advantage, cause such grief and destruction for the many. It is a call to voice opposition to the chaos and insanity. It is a call for unity beyond borders.”
A veteran of the US hardcore punk scene, Scott Helland has spent years honing a dynamic, high-impact performance style that now drives Frenchy and the Punk’s electrifying live presence and genre-blurring sound. Over the course of his music career, he has shared the stage with Black Flag, Husker Du, GBH, C.O.C, Agnostic Front and CroMags, in addition to performing with Dinosaur Jr. on occasion.
Samantha’s artistic expression came from a completely different place, having started in dance, piano and the visual arts. These two worlds collided forming a musical incarnation that moves effortlessly from bombastic and driving songs to atmospheric and almost transcendent soundscapes.
Both before and after their critically acclaimd albums ‘Midnight Garden’ (2024) and ‘Zen Ghost’ (2022), they have toured the US and Europe relentlessly. Fiercely DIY, they have earned a wide and loyal following, endearing audiences not only with their music but their engaging live shows. To see them together onstage is to witness their palpable connection and dedication to the creative life they lead.
TOUR DATES
April 3 – ITHACA, NY @ Nocturnal Cafe
April 4 – ROCHESTER, NY @ Bar Bad Ending
April 6 – SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY @ Desperate Annies
April 9 – LOUISVILLE, KY @ Planet of the Tapes
April 10 – DAYTON, OH @ Blind Bob’s
April 11 – INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Goth Prom @ Healer
April 12 – CHICAGO, IL @ LiveWire
April 14 – ST LOUIS, MO @ The Crack Fox
April 15 – COLUMBUS, OH @ Spacebar
April 17 – PITTSBURGH, PA @ Sidequest (with Ego Likeness)
April 18 – EASTON, PA – Coven @ Lafayette Bar
April 19 – DETROIT, MI @ Small’s (with Past Self)
April 22 – RICHMOND, VA @ Fallout RVA (with Ego Likeness)
April 23 – ARLINGTON, VA – Dark Constellation @ Renegade (with Ego Likeness)
April 25/26 – HOLLY SPRINGS, NC @ Festival of Legends
May 22 – World Goth Day Online Fest @ FnP YouTube Channel
June 3 – NEWCASTLE, UK @ Trillian’s
June 4 – EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND @ Banshee’s Labyrinth
June 6 – MORECAMBE, UK @ ASDO Festival
June 12 – SOWERBY BRIDGE, UK @ Blind Pig
June 19 – BIRMINGHAM, UK @ Merlin’s (with Attrition)
#frenchyandthepunk