CORAZINE
"Stella Royale conjures a sound that is both original and referential of many preceding things. A dash of punk - though hardly how you imagine it - a hint of shoegazer - again, quit imagining and just go listen - indie rock, psychadelic, blues, good old rock n roll and a heady dose of non-conformity. "Dog" is a catchy, smart album that could appease the appetites of a not particularly intelligentsia-based crowd and at the same time speak to the tastes of the eclectic and discerning. Reserved with yet an attitude that speaks out. Accessable yet independent and forward thinking. Stella Royale's music is emotive and compelling; it defines indie and brings definition to such a broad, ambiguous term. Check it out".
EAST BAY EXPRESS
This curious mish-mash of Indie rock and Americana claims influences from Pixies to Drive-By-Truckers, and for once it isn't wishful thinking. Childhood friends John Spaw and Dave Craig hit on something special here; the persistent contrast between high-gain guitars and glossy vocals is unbeatable.
PERFORMER MAGAZINE
John Spaw’s guitar work, for example, ranges from a tranquilized James Blunt to a coked-out Jack White. However, his vocals are invariably mellow. (We’re talking Chris Martin mellow.) The band even breaks out into an Eagles-esque refrain of “oooooh oooooh” on “What Matters,” a choice that reflects the song’s decidedly power-pop sound.
They save one of their strongest tracks for last with “Plays with Dolls,” on which the tension manifests in Spaw’s crooning as he treads the line between his natural and falsetto voice. The technique’s straining effect draws the listener in. Dynamic and stylistic incongruities also come into play halfway through this otherwise calm number when the electric guitar unleashes an out of control, blues-rock solo like a repressed memory bursting forth from a traumatized mental patient. This is the kind of quirk that keeps Stella Royale exciting.
They save one of their strongest tracks for last with “Plays with Dolls,” on which the tension manifests in Spaw’s crooning as he treads the line between his natural and falsetto voice. The technique’s straining effect draws the listener in. Dynamic and stylistic incongruities also come into play halfway through this otherwise calm number when the electric guitar unleashes an out of control, blues-rock solo like a repressed memory bursting forth from a traumatized mental patient. This is the kind of quirk that keeps Stella Royale exciting.
GUITAR PLAYER MAGAZINE
Stella Royale featured in the Feb 2009 issue of the Guitar PLayer Magazine's Big Eight!
This delightfully stoned slow burner mates a distorted and tremoloed guitar with a dirge-like trumpet motif that sounds as if Herb Alpert’s mouthpiece was spiked with Quaaludes.
This delightfully stoned slow burner mates a distorted and tremoloed guitar with a dirge-like trumpet motif that sounds as if Herb Alpert’s mouthpiece was spiked with Quaaludes.
PLASTIC MILK
French horns, vintage guitar, and gypsy rhythms abound in Cockroach Esemble (Randy Girl Records), Stella Royale’s 3rd full release. It’s return to basics after their more experimental second album, The Nerves of Them. John Spaw provides the bluesman vocals and punky guitar for the sometimes melancholy album. While Kat Cornelius’s brass and accordion work adds an eclectic color to their overall sound.
Plastic Milk sneak peek
As promised in July (Click Here to Read), Stella Royale (SF) is almost set to released their yet to be named 4th album and Mr. John Spaw was kind enough to mail us a CD with some of their new tracks. While we can only share two tracks on the site, the CD features 7 songs that vary greatly in style and delivery but expand on the jazz infused post-punk foundation which began to take shape on Cockroach Esemble.
KFOG Radio San Francisco California
“There is a new sound emerging from San
Francisco's music scene, and it falls
somewhere between punk, and pretty. A
five- piece whose talent is apparent on
every level. The powerful drums and
grinding guitars are layered with angst,
while the lyrics are melodic, and the singer,
almost crooner-like. Please introduce
yourself to Stella Royale”.
Francisco's music scene, and it falls
somewhere between punk, and pretty. A
five- piece whose talent is apparent on
every level. The powerful drums and
grinding guitars are layered with angst,
while the lyrics are melodic, and the singer,
almost crooner-like. Please introduce
yourself to Stella Royale”.
