Folk-Punk has become quite popular in recent years, not least due to long-active bands like The Real McKenzies, Flogging Molly, or Dropkick Murphys. These three bands are certainly the reason many younger combos are playing a similar style. People often orient themselves to what they like.
The Canadians of THE STANFIELDS seem to be such a band. The five-member group has been together since 2008 and has now released their second album, “Death & Taxes.”
The ten songs come across fresh and unspoiled, and they are above all one thing: unique! The songs naturally remind one of the bands mentioned in the introduction, but not in an obvious way. The band manages to incorporate Folk-Punk with melodies that could easily be placed in Skate-Punk or Pop-Punk. However, the band is in no way mainstream or even pop. It’s rather the melodies that stick in your head and Jon Landry's vocal performance, which fits perfectly with the songs. The production was handled by none other than Mike Fraser, who has also produced AC/DC and Metallica. Good old Mike has done a fantastic job here. There’s no exaggerated sound, but a perfectly fitting one. It’s like a tailored suit, crafted to perfection down to the last millimeter. I certainly don’t want to overlook the fellow musicians; they also do their job damn well.
I thought when I received the CD that it would surely be one of those Folk-Punk bands that wants a piece of the pie and puts everything on the line for it.
THE STANFIELDS want their piece of the pie. You can be sure that with the sound the band creates, they will gladly serve you that piece with a smile.
For me, THE STANFIELDS are an absolute discovery and the best I’ve heard in the Folk-Punk genre in a long time. Everything just clicks.
The band is also going on tour in September. Check the website for dates, as the clubs are small, and I would bet my hand in the fire that this will likely be the last time the band will be seen in such small venues.
I raise my whisky and drink to THE STANFIELDS, and not just once!
