Larry Foley of the Punters is 'foolish enough to stay at it'
Have a First Listen to Atlantic Stars by the Punters
When the Punters formed as a band 25 years ago, lead singer and guitarist Larry Foley would never have dreamed that he would have a quarter-century-long career as a musician.
"It's like a bizarre game of Survivor," said Foley.
To mark their milestone anniversary, the Punters have released Atlantic Stars, an album of new music in their signature Newfoundland-trad-meets-melodic-pop style.
When Celtic was cool
Foley and fellow Newfoundland musician Jason Whelan founded the Punters in 1994 with fiddle player Pat Moran, bassist Brian Kenny, and percussionist George Morgan.
At the time, East Coast music was the hottest thing happening in the music industry, with bands such as Great Big Sea and the Rankin Family getting big label recording contracts.
The Punters were also snapped up by a recording label. They recorded a couple of albums, and then spent the rest of the '90s touring Canada in a van.
But there's something comforting about that, because it allowed us to do other things.- Larry Foley
Just as quickly, their label folded, record company interest in East Coast music faded — and the 20th-century music industry model collapsed with the ascent of digital file sharing and streaming.
"The afterburner [for the Punters] never kicked in," admitted Foley.
"But there's something comforting about that, because it allowed us to do other things."
Enduring career
Foley continues to have a busy performing career as a solo artist, with the popular country cover band the 8-Track Favourites, as well as tribute projects. As a member of the Punters, he is the only original member of the band.
The Punters' lineup on Atlantic Stars consists of Foley, Bob Pike on bass, Luke Welsh on fiddle, and Adam Staple or Paul (Boomer) Stamp on drums.
Foley said he's proud to have built an enduring career and support his young family as a working musician.
"I still feel in a lot of ways like I'm still that kid from around the bay, coming into town, having a crack at the music," said Foley.
"And I'm foolish enough to stay at it."
Have a listen as Larry Foley talks about a quarter century of the Punters:
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