New York postpunk duo Frenchy and the Punk are pressing on — and right now, that act of persistence means more than ever.
The band's powerful new single "War on War" — described by The Spill Magazine as "the rare kind of protest song that doesn't just demand attention — it reshapes the emotional architecture of dissent into something almost hypnotically beautiful" — has taken on new weight. Vocalist and keyboardist Samantha Stephenson was recently diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer, discovered after a routine check-up just as the band was hitting the road for an extensive spring/summer tour. Those dates have been cancelled as they focus on her recovery.
Guitarist Scott Helland is one of the founders of Deep Wound alongside Dinosaur Jr.'s J Mascis and Lou Barlow. Together, Frenchy and the Punk have built something in the spirit of Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Cure, and Lebanon Hanover — atmospheric, passionate, and fiercely committed to community.
"It is a call to voice opposition to the chaos and insanity. It is a call for unity beyond borders," says Samantha.
The single was mixed and mastered by William Faith (The Bellwether Syndicate, Faith and the Muse) and recorded by Hillary Johnson, who has worked with Jeff Buckley, Rufus Wainwright, The Ramones, and Nile Rodgers.
The band relies on touring as their primary income. A GoFundMe has been launched to help cover living expenses during Samantha's treatment.
Watch "War on War": https://youtu.be/T2acGrWxhfQ
Bandcamp: https://frenchyandthepunk.bandcamp.com/album/war-on-war
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/09wjkmmSxTc1CRp1Eegk1H
GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/24f28df11
Links:
Bandcamp: https://frenchyandthepunk.bandcamp.com
