The Gypsy Nomads
Encyclopedia
Frenchy and the Punk, formerly The Gypsy Nomads, are a Euro-American musical duo from New York. Their non-traditional eclectic mix of musical styles has elements of cabaret, gypsy, celtic and Steampunk
. Formed in 2005, the duo consists of French born singer and percussionist Samantha Stephenson and American born punk veteran guitarist Scott Helland who is of Czech and Portuguese desent. The duo has developed a following from year-round touring across the U.S. and performing at such U.S. festivals as DragonCon, Steamcon
, The Steampunk World's Fair
, Wicked Faire, Sirius Rising
and Faerieworlds
and (FaerieCon). The name Frenchy and the Punk comes from the duo's french and punk backgrounds.
Scott Helland was also in the Western mass hardcore
punk scene. At that time he was a bass player. He is a founding member of the bands Deep Wound
with J Mascis and Lou Barlow
(who later went on to form Dinosaur Jr
) and (Outpatients) with brother Vis Helland. Scott Helland was a solo artist from 1996 to 2005 before forming Frenchy and the Punk with Stephenson.
French born Brit. Samantha Stephenson, Frenchy and the Punk singer and percussionist draws inspiration from art, dance and travel for her lyrics. She has lived in France, England, Brazil and the US and spent time in West Africa. She studied art at The National Academy of Design and Art Students League in New York City. She began her dance training at the Royal School of Dance in England and performed in dance troupes in Boston and New York and studied and played piano throughout her teens.
Steampunk
Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction, fantasy, alternate history, and speculative fiction that came into prominence during the 1980s and early 1990s. Steampunk involves a setting where steam power is still widely used—usually Victorian era Britain or "Wild West"-era United...
. Formed in 2005, the duo consists of French born singer and percussionist Samantha Stephenson and American born punk veteran guitarist Scott Helland who is of Czech and Portuguese desent. The duo has developed a following from year-round touring across the U.S. and performing at such U.S. festivals as DragonCon, Steamcon
Steamcon
Steamcon is one of the largest regional steampunk conventions/symposia in the United States. Located in the Seattle area of Washington state, Steamcon held its first symposium in 2009.-Overview:...
, The Steampunk World's Fair
Steampunk World's Fair
The Steampunk World's Fair is a Steampunk convention produced by Oneiroi Productions It was held in Piscataway, New Jersey in 2010 and Somerset, New Jersey in 2011, both times during the month of May....
, Wicked Faire, Sirius Rising
Sirius Rising
Sirius Rising is a seven day festival at Brushwood Folklore Center in Sherman, New York. Beginning in 1994, the festival has been a community and family oriented event with varied workshops daily and one elemental themed workshop each day. Each night begins with elemental rituals honoring one of...
and Faerieworlds
Faerieworlds
The Faerieworlds Festival is an annual music and arts festival currently held annually in Oregon. The festival's primary theme is the "realm of the faerie"...
and (FaerieCon). The name Frenchy and the Punk comes from the duo's french and punk backgrounds.
Scott Helland was also in the Western mass hardcore
Western mass hardcore
Western Mass. Hardcore refers to the hardcore punk music scene in and around Amherst, Massachusetts, in 1982-1984.-Origins:In the very early 1980's, hardcore punk scenes began to develop in cities such as Washington DC, Boston, New York, and Los Angeles...
punk scene. At that time he was a bass player. He is a founding member of the bands Deep Wound
Deep Wound
Deep Wound was a hardcore punk band formed in 1982 in Westfield, MA. They released one self-titled 7" and contributed two songs to the compilation LP, Bands That Could Be God, both of which are sought after by fans and record collectors alike.-Overview:...
with J Mascis and Lou Barlow
Lou Barlow
Louis Knox Barlow is an American alternative rock musician and songwriter. A founding member of the groups Deep Wound, Dinosaur Jr., Sebadoh and The Folk Implosion. Barlow is credited with helping to pioneer the lo-fi style of rock music in the late 1980s and early 1990s...
(who later went on to form Dinosaur Jr
Dinosaur Jr
Dinosaur Jr. is an American alternative rock band formed in Amherst, Massachusetts in 1984. Originally called Dinosaur, prior to legal issues that forced the group to change their name, the band disbanded in 1997 until reuniting in 2005...
) and (Outpatients) with brother Vis Helland. Scott Helland was a solo artist from 1996 to 2005 before forming Frenchy and the Punk with Stephenson.
French born Brit. Samantha Stephenson, Frenchy and the Punk singer and percussionist draws inspiration from art, dance and travel for her lyrics. She has lived in France, England, Brazil and the US and spent time in West Africa. She studied art at The National Academy of Design and Art Students League in New York City. She began her dance training at the Royal School of Dance in England and performed in dance troupes in Boston and New York and studied and played piano throughout her teens.
Members
- Samantha Stephenson - vocals, percussion, drums, piano
- Scott Helland - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, bass, drums, vocals
Discography
- "Live at Bube's Brewery DVD", 2011
- "Happy Madness", 2010
- "At the Carnival Eclectique", 2008
- "Eternal Summer", 2008
- "Thread & Stone", 2007