Punk rockers FOXY announce European tour + ‘X-Ray Spex Tribute’ EP
FOXY, a melodic punk band celebrating its 20thanniversary, today announces a pair of new EPs and fall dates for its European “Oh Bondage!” tour. This will mark the fifth major European tour on which the band has embarked. Dates begin September 20 in Prague, Czech Republic. A week prior to the tour, FOXY releases the X-Ray Spex Tribute and Can’t Stop Us EPs on September 13. Both titles are available for pre-order HERE.
The current lineup of FOXY comprises vocalist/guitarist Lisa Parker-Meredith (4-Gazm), guitarist/vocalist Greg Antista (Greg Antista & The Lonely Streets, Joyride), bassist Stu West (The Damned, English Dogs), and drummer Richie Mendez (The Pushers).
Formed by Parker-Meredith and Antista in Fullerton, CA, in 1999, FOXY originally included longtime Social Distortion bassist John Maurer. Maurer appears on the band’s self-titled 1999 debut EP and he produced the band’s sole album, 2001’s Stay Foxy Por Vida. After recording and touring consistently from 1999-2002, FOXY went on hiatus. For the next 15 years, Parker-Meredith focused on raising a family with her husband Glen Meredith of the band Violet Rex. FOXY initially reconvened in 2017 to provide support for a 40thanniversary concert date for fellow Southern California punk band X. FOXY was so thrilled to see that the old chemistry was intact that they booked dates for a 2018 European tour and recorded a second EP, Can’t Stop Us.
“I’d say we’re as relevant now as we were 15 years ago,” says Parker-Meredith. “Perhaps even more so because more women are part of the scene now, and the men are closer to being on the same page as well. The men I surround myself with in music and life have tons of admiration and respect for women. Together we are stronger, together we make a difference. The bottom line with this band is that FOXY is family. And the people we play for are part of that family. That’s the message we carry across the globe to every show we play, whether it’s to 30 people or 3,000.”
“Oh Bondage!” European Tour:
September
20: Prague, Czech Republic — Klub Vagon / INFO
21: Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic — Slash Bar / INFO
23: Ústí Nad Labem, Czech Republic — Exil Club / INFO
24: Bohulslavice, Czech Republic — Noise Bar / INFO
25: Vrsovka u Nachoda, Czech Republic — Eastway / INFO
26: Wemelskirchen, Germany — AJZ Bahndamm / INFO
27: Jena, Germany — The Rosenkeller / INFO
28: Berlin, Germany — Wild At Heart (with The Lurkers) / INFO
29: TBD / check www.foxybandusa.com for updates
30: Ninove, Belgium — Gonzo / INFO
October
02. Nantes, France — Cour 87 / INFO
03. Saint Malo, France — Les Mélèzes / INFO
04: Rennes, France — Mondo Bizarro / INFO
05: Manchester, UK — Yerrrr Bar / INFO
06: Leicester, UK — Duffy’s Bar / INFO
07: London, UK — The Birds Nest Pub / INFO
Details for the EP releases:
X-RAY SPEX TRIBUTE: Poly Styrene (1957-2011), the frontwoman and co-songwriter for UK punk pioneers X-Ray Spex, described her anthem “Oh Bondage Up Yours!” as “A call for liberation. It was saying ‘Bondage — forget it!’ I’m not going to be bound by the laws of consumerism or bound by my own senses.” Released by Virgin Records in 1977, the single failed to make the UK pop charts but over the years has gained stature as a fiery ‘call to arms’ for punks, protesters, feminists, and the 1990s Riot grrrl scene. FOXY’s Parker-Meredith explains “I’ve been listening to X-Ray Spex since my early teens. When our band was contacted by Mike Bennett (producer of the 2014 X-Ray Spex tribute album The Day the World Turned Day-Glo) we were super excited. Mike is also working on a video for the ‘I’m a Cliché’/’Oh Bondage Up Yours!’ mashup which appears on the EP.” In addition to his work with the X-Ray Spex catalog, Bennett has produced records by The Fall, Ian Brown, The Popes featuring Shane MacGowan, and many others.
X-Ray Spex Tribute EP is released in a strictly limited edition of 500 colored vinyl 12” copies — half pink, half blue. It will also be available digitally. Ready Steady Go Productions / Catalog # RSG0002.
Tracklist:
1. “Oh Bondage Up Yours!”/”I Am a Cliché” mashup (Styrene)
2. “I am a Cliché” (Styrene)
3. “Oh Bondage Up Yours!” (Styrene)
4. “Last Glimmer” (Antista)
5. “Frozen” (West/Antista)
6. “Can’t Stop Us” (Antista)
CAN’T STOP US EP: “We went into the studio to record these tracks in 2018, a few months after FOXY had reformed to play a show with X,” explains Parker-Meredith. “Historically, I’ve always been involved in the writing process of any band I’m involved with. But for this EP, I was so busy with family that I asked Greg if he could take the lead. I have complete confidence in Greg — he’s an amazing songwriter and my soulmate in all things FOXY. Can’t Stop Us also marks the first time Stu has been involved in the writing process.” TheCan’t Stop Us sessions were produced and engineered by Jim Monroe at The Racket Room. Also present in the studio, tragically, for the last time, was Antista’s longtime friend and former bandmate, Steve Soto (Agent Orange, Adolescents). Soto passed away in his sleep hours after providing backing vocals.
Can’t Stop Us EP is released digitally and on CD. Ready Steady Go Productions / Catalog # RSG001. Can’t Stop Us EP has previously only been available at merch tables during FOXY’s 2018 European tour.
Tracklist:
1. “Last Glimmer” (Antista)
2. “Frozen” (West/Antista)
3. “Mess Around” (Antista)
4. “Can’t Stop Us” (Antista)
5. “Don’t Close Your Eyes” (Antista)
6. “Devil Doll” (West)
Source: https://foxybandusa.com
