# NYC Post-Punk Duo FRENCHY AND THE PUNK Release ‘Come In and Play’, A Siouxsie-esque Preview of their ‘Zen Ghost’ LP

- Link: https://www.nyrdcast.com/nyc-post-punk-duo-frenchy-and-the-punk-release-come-in-and-play-a-siouxsie-esque-preview-of-their-zen-ghost-lp/
- Published: 2022-10-10T11:00:00-05:00
- Author: Eugene Tierney

**NYC post-punk duo Frenchy and the Punk release ‘Come In and Play’, a Siouxsie-
esque preview of their ‘Zen Ghost’ LP**

_“Explosive, subdued, confrontational, soothing, spikey, and accessible, an incredible
blend of alt-rock shade and alt-folk light” _~ **[Big Takeover Magazine](https://bigtakeover.com/recordings/FrenchyandthePunkMonSouvenirEARecordings)**

_“Penetrating psych-soaked post-punk… Brimming with their signature cinematic drama
and that unforgettable voice” _~ **[Global Texan Chronicles](https://globaltexanchronicles.com/mon-souvenir/)**

_“Bombastic… a happy medium between the sonic atmosphere and thoughtful melancholy
of post-punk music and the unmistakable drama of cabaret… as beautifully manic as
some of the finest artists on America’s early punk’ scene”_ ~ **[Amplify Music Magazine](https://amplifymusicmag.com/premiere-mon-souvenir-by-frenchy-and-the-punk-bursts-with-new-wave-circus-punk-goodness/)**

_“An inspiriting slice of post punk hued, new wave nurtured rock ‘n’ roll… under
the skin and hungrily stirring the imagination in a flash”_ ~ [**Ringmaster Review**](https://ringmasterreviewintroduces.wordpress.com/2022/10/05/march-of-the-shameless-step-1/)

![](https://i0.wp.com/redirect.haulix.com/UgODXQuQxxa9JPQD2aVbP08UBtLphiqqkNW1vzj86bo%
3D/PromoAccessory_820619.jpg?w=1290&ssl=1)

**Photo by Alice Teeple**

NYC-based postpunk duo [**Frenchy and the Punk**](http://www.frenchyandthepunk.com/)****
presents [**‘Come In and Play’**](https://frenchyandthepunk.bandcamp.com/track/come-in-and-play),
an upbeat Siouxsie-esque delight and the second enchanting single from their forthcoming
[**‘Zen Ghost’**](https://frenchyandthepunk.bandcamp.com/album/zen-ghost) album.
Their seventh long-player record, this will be released via the **EA Recordings**
label on October 28.

Frenchy and the Punk is vocalist, percussionist and lyricist **Samantha Stephenson**
and guitarist-composer **Scott Helland**, who was co-founder and bassist of **Outpatients**
and also [**Deep Wound**](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/deep-wound-mn0001356350)****(
along with **Dinosaur Jr.** founders **J Mascis** and **Lou Barlow**). Influenced
by The Cure, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Blondie, Concrete Blonde and The B52’s, 
the duo thrive in their trademark blend of post-punk and dark folk music.

About ‘Come In and Play’, **Samantha Stephenson** says, “This song was named in 
relation to a character in Bewitched, my mom was a fan of the show. It sparked a
curiosity and enthusiasm for all things mystical and magical from an early age. 
I could be quite solitary and eventually dove into a meditation practice. That feeling
of going inward and exploring the inner workings of the esoteric realm always felt
very comforting.”

Come in and Play

[⌊Come in and Play⌉⌊Come in and Play⌉
Watch this video on YouTube

Earlier, the band released the lead track [**‘Mon Souvenir’**](https://frenchyandthepunk.bandcamp.com/track/mon-souvenir),
an unapologetically new wave nugget, propelled by chugging acoustic chords, that
reflects the album’s central theme of transcending ‘mind phantoms’ – the experiences
from the past that linger within all of us.

Dark times make for dark songs. ‘Zen Ghost’ was written and recorded during the 
downtime of 2020-2021. Here, the duo’s shadowy sound takes an even darker turn –
an inward spin into the pair’s previously unexplored personal planes and interpretations
of the insanity of our increasingly tumultuous age. But despite its more pronounced
moodiness, like the rest of the band’s oeuvre, ‘Zen Ghost’ offers plenty of opportunities
to dance in the darkness.

![](https://i0.wp.com/redirect.haulix.com/m9Rx57bo_W8e4_N_BfTv-UCWxGEt5bfT8kAcRNaCxXY%
3D/PromoAccessory_155417.jpg?resize=212%2C212&ssl=1)

Tapped as one of the Top 25 duos in the US by Yahoo! Music, the freewheeling pair
has released [**numerous recordings**](https://frenchyandthepunk.bandcamp.com/),
including the acclaimed albums ‘**Happy Madness’ (2010), ‘Hey Hey Cabaret’ (2012),‘
Elephant Uproar’ (2013), ‘Cartwheels’ (2014), ‘Bonjour Batfrog’ (2014)**, and **‘
Hooray Beret’ (2019)**.

French-born, but raised in the UK and USA, Stephenson’s study of piano and dance
ignited her eventual rejection of corporate conformity and fueled a quest to lead
a truly autonomous life through art and music. A son of jazz-loving teachers, Helland
grew up in Western Massachusetts and was a vital player on the region’s fertile 
early hardcore punk scene.

Helland and Stephenson met in NYC in 1998, when Stephenson spontaneously jumped 
on stage to accompany Helland during his solo guitar performance. The artistic union
was immediate, powerful and undeniable. The two began to tour with fevered zeal,
turning heads with their striking aesthetic, steadily building fervent fans on the
mystical-folk/steampunk festival, coffeehouse, convention, and club circuits with
their boisterous, revival-like live shows.

Since then, they’ve performed live with **Dead Can Dance’s Peter Ulrich **and** 
Dresden Dolls’ Brian Viglione**, and opened for **Thomas Dolby, Dinosaur Jr., The
World Inferno Friendship Society, Rasputina, Cruxshadows, Hurray For The Riff Raff**
and** The Young Dubliners. **

‘Come in and Play’ is now out everywhere, including [**Apple Music**](https://music.apple.com/us/artist/frenchy-and-the-punk/453505184)**,
[Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/artist/7fRd6n7FhjhaUUKYiUHmXf?si=6swbAo8OTxueOJcTwceEkA)**
and** [Bandcamp](http://www.frenchyandthepunk.bandcamp.com/)**, where ‘Mon Souvenir’
can also be found. The ‘Zen Ghost’ album will be released on October 28 and is available
for pre-order digitally via [**Bandcamp **](https://frenchyandthepunk.bandcamp.com/album/zen-ghost)
and on CD [**via the band’s website**](https://batfrogs.com/product/zen-ghost-cd).

**CREDITS**
All songs written by Samantha Stephenson and Scott HellandSamantha Stephenson–
lyrics, lead vocal, percussion, keyboardScott Helland – guitar, bass, drums, backing
vocalsJason 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, NYMastered at The Cage, Coventry UK by Martin BowesCover photo
by Alice TeeplePen and ink drawings by Scott HellandAlbum cover design by Scott 
Helland and Samantha Stephenson

![](https://i0.wp.com/redirect.haulix.com/AaEAgWVrjf13RdUDYkUd0yYy1o-np9iay2RLGgTl86c%
3D/PromoAccessory_667241.jpg?w=1290&ssl=1)

**TRACK LIST**
1. Mon Souvenir2. Temple of Sleep3. If the World Doesn’t End First4.
Gear Geist5. Church of Sound6. Come In and Play7. Paradise Found8. Blood9. Oxygen10.
I’ll See You Again

**TOUR DATES**
Oct 08   Poughkeepsie, NY – Gallery 40Oct 15/16  Shepherdstown, WV–
Shepherdstown Fae FestivalOct 22   Nyack, NY – Prohibition River LiveOct 28   Baltimore,
MD – FaerieConDec 2  Camden/London – Black Heart (with Beyond Victoria & Flesh Tetris)
Dec 10  Exeter, UK – Yule BallFeb 4/5  Manchester, CT – Stupid Cupid Steampunk FestivalFeb
18/19  Gettsyburg, PA – MythiCon FestivalApril 01   Galveston, TX – Galveston Steampunk
FestivalApril 8/9  Baltimore, MD – Between The WorldsApril 15/16  Chicago, IL – 
Chicago Steampunk Expo

**FOR FANS OF: **
Siouxsie and the Banshees, Concrete Blonde, Florence and the Machine,
Blondie, Grace Slick, The B-52’s, Dresden Dolls

**Keep up with Frenchy and the Punk**
[Website](http://www.frenchyandthepunk.com/)
| [Bandcamp](http://www.frenchyandthepunk.bandcamp.com/) | [Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/frenchyandthepunk)
| [Instagram](http://www.instagram.com/frenchyandthepunk) | [Twitter](http://www.twitter.com/frenchyNthepunk)
| [YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/frenchyandthepunk) | [Soundcloud ](https://soundcloud.com/frenchyandthepunk)
| [Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/artist/frenchy-and-the-punk/453505184)
| [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/artist/7fRd6n7FhjhaUUKYiUHmXf?si=6swbAo8OTxueOJcTwceEkA)

**Keep up with Shameless Promotion PR**
[Website](http://www.shamelesspromotionpr.com/)
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