If It's Too Loud...

Photo by Nicola Bee We tend to love everything Frenchy and the Punk puts out, and their latest single is certainly no exception. "War on War" fits with in with the post-punk cabaret style of the duo which consists of Samantha Stephenson and Scott Helland (Deep Wound, Guitarmy of One). This one goes back to the more gothic New Wave style and is wonderfully synth heavy. I always seem to compare Frenchy and the Punk to Siouxsie and the Banshees meets Concrete Blonde, but that comparison always seems to work. If you miss the more theatrical side of post-punk and New Wave, "War on War" is going to be for you. Plus, it's the most danceable of the current crop of political songs we've brought you. Samantha Stephenson says of her band's latest single: "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 d...

Artist : Queen of Jeans Album : All Again Quick Thoughts : Been a fan of Queen of Jeans for a bit and this album is definitely a play for the folk-rock mainstream, but songs like "Karaoke" are radio-friendly in the best way, and "Last to Try" one of the better songs they've thrown together. This could be a breakthrough for them, so check this one out. Songs of Note : "All My Friends," "Karaoke," "Neighbors," "Bitter Pill," "Last to Try" Artist : Towa Bird Album : American Hero Quick Thoughts : Towa Bird is a young guitarist out of the NYC area, and this debut full-length is Charlotte Hatherley by way of Girl in Red. Confessional, hazy rock songs with a little edge and a lot of fun, even the parts that feel like they might stumble out of control (like "B.I.L.L.S.," which could be cringeworthy in less skilled hands) work well. This is a great record from a great talent, and I'm looking forw...

Doing Anything this Weekend? is a feature here at If It's Too Loud... where we feature some live shows in and on the far outskirts of the Boston area. Our main rules are that they have to be reasonably priced shows that you can attend last minute. They'll feature If It's Too Loud... approved bands, and we'll provide event links when possible. And since we're in outdoor music season, these events are weather permitting. If you're looking for last minute plans this weekend, we recommend: Friday June 21 Airiel, Blushing, Bodywash, and Bella Steele at Deep Cuts, Medford, MA Saturday June 22 Parlour on the Block featuring The Skatalites, Akrobatik, Slurp, Quahogs, and more at Parlour, Providence, RI Typhoid Rosie, AP.E, Sweet Babylon, Hardcar, and D.O.P. at JJ's Tavern, Florence, MA Viruette, Today Junior, and Good News at Deep Cuts, Medford, MA Deke Dickerson and the Whippersnappers, Jittery Jack w/ Amy Griffin on Guitar, and The Centuries at Faces Brewing, Mald...

Photo by Nicola Bee Frenchy and the Punk, the post-punk cabaret project of Samantha Stephenson and Scott Helland (Deep Wound and Guitarmy of One) have a new single out, and it's something truly special. "Like In a Dream" will keep the Siouxsie and the Banshees meets Concrete Blonde comparisons going, but the song does reach out past that. The song has a more organic feel to it. Not quite to the point that we're referring to it as Americana, but still a little more organic. Despite it being a fairly calm song, there is still a punk edge throughout. And then there's Stephenson's vocals, which are just stunning in "Like In a Dream." If gothic post-punk cabaret sounds like your sort of thing, you probably already know Frenchy and the Punk. If you're just discovering them now, welcome aboard! Samantha Stephenson says of the band's latest single: “’Like In A Dream’ was one of the songs we came up with in Paris. I often write lyrics in a stream of c...

Photo by Nicola Bee Frenchy and the Punk is the current musical project of Samantha Stephenson and Scott Helland (Deep Wound, Guitarmy of One). The duo get compared to Siouxsie and the Banshees quite a bit, but that's mostly due to Stephenson's vocals. Their latest single, "Hypnotized," is based in post-punk, but it's a little more straight up rock than a lot of post-punk. This is a song that will instantly mesmerize you as soon as the guitar kicks in, and Stephenson's vocals will refuse to let you go. As dark and goth as a song like "Hypnotize" is, it's also refreshingly upbeat. Once you get past the comparisons, there's a lot to like about any Frenchy and the Punk release. Scott Helland says of his band's new song: "The song sprung from the opening grungy bass line that I played with an electro-acoustic hybrid guitar through octave and distortion pedals. The groove pulses beneath Samantha’s soaring vocals and lets up occasionally t...

Photo by Samantha Stephenson Frenchy and the Punk, the musical project of vocalist/percussionist Samantha Stephenson and guitarist Scott Helland (ex-Deep Wound) are back with a new single. "Gear Geist" is a mostly instrumental track with just Stephenson vocalizing harmonies sporadically, but it fits right into their punk goes cabaret sound. This is an intensely moody track that still finds beauty and even fun in the darkness. The press release for the track compares it to Siouxsie and the Banshees, Florence and the Machine, and The Dresden Dolls, and you won't hear any arguments from us on any of those. "Gear Geist" is a great and creative song that is much more compelling than (mostly) instrumental tracks normally get. You can watch the video for "Gear Geist" below. The song is currently available for the name your price option through Bandcamp . For more on Frenchy and the Punk, check out the artist's website .

Photo by Samantha Stephenson Samantha Stephenson of Frenchy and the Punk gets compared to Siouxsie quite a bit ( we've made that comparison ourselves ), so it's fitting that the duo have released a cover of Siouxsie and the Banshees' "Cities in Dust." It's an extremely faithful cover of the original classic, although a more stripped down version. It still has that classic goth sound, just not as big of a sound. Frenchy and the Punk have gifted us a perfect cover of a favorite song, and considering Siouxsie and the Banshees are always a pick this time of year, their timing is superb. Samantha Stephenson says of Siouxsie and the Banshees: “I was aware of Siouxsie and the Banshees, but mostly for her stunning look. I loved her image. She seemed to exude fierceness and confidence but I wasn’t all that familiar with the band’s sound. It’s really because our fans constantly mentioned her name that got me falling down the Banshees’ rabbit hole some years ago." Y...

Photo by Alice Teeple Frenchy and the Punk, the duo of Samantha Stephenson and Scott Helland (Deep Wound) have released a new single that is going to be beloved by fans of cabaret punk and classic 80's goth. The immediate comparison you're going to make when you hear "Come in a Play" is Siouxsie and the Banshees. Stephenson's voice is particularly Siouxsie on this one, and it just has that entire vibe going for it. But this is a much more organic and less New Wave version of that sound which gives it a Dresden Dolls feel, without being too Dresden Dolls-like. It's October, and this kind of music is even more appealing than it normally is, but "Come in and Play" should become a favorite year round. You can listen to "Come in and Play" below. Zen Ghost is due out October 28 and can be pre-ordered through Bandcamp . For more on Frenchy and the Punk, check out the artist's website .

Photo by Alice Teeple When you hear the description "cabaret punk," you know exactly what Frenchy and the Punk sound like even if you've never heard the term before. "Mos Souvenir" is almost like a somewhat acoustic version of New Wave. French born singer Samantha Stephenson croons like a cabaret version of Siouxsie Sioux, with Scott Heiland (Deep Wound, aka J Mascis and Lou Barlow's pre-Dinosaur Jr hardcore band) shouting solo gang choruses. "Mos Souvenir" could be a complete trainwreck in less talented hands, but Frenchy and the Punk have created their very own sound that works perfectly. You can listen to "Mos Souvenir" below. Zen Ghost is due out October 28 and can be pre-ordered through Bandcamp . For more on Frenchy and the Punk, check out the band's website . Zen Ghost by Frenchy and the Punk