A dynamic amalgamation of on-s… Read Full Bio ↴Previously known as The Gypsy Nomads.
A dynamic amalgamation of on-stage chemistry, energy and musicality, New York duo, The Gypsy Nomads, also affectionately known as Frenchy and the Punk, channel the spirit of the gypsy sound, lacing it with a cabaret, celtic and neo-medieval flavor rooted in punk, folk and the vineyards of southern France.
The Nomads perform with a wide range of bands at an equally wide range of venues all over the US; from outdoor festivals featuring the fantastical and mystickal with stilt walkers, jugglers and fire throwers, to conventions geared to the steam punk/sci-fi/cabaret crowd, to Burning Man-like events in the woods with performance artists, belly dancers, drum circles and bonfires blazing 30 feet in the air, to rock clubs, cafes and art galleries.
From raucous, danceable old-world melodies with cheeky stories sung in english and french, to pounding, tribal-march-style drum instrumentals, this creative duo's quirky and captivating show brings the songs from their three full-length albums to life in a percussive, playful and theatrical way.
The duo features French-born Brit. Samantha Stephenson, whose vocals have been likened to a cross between Siouxsie Sioux and Edith Piaf and veteran of the punk scene Scott Helland on guitar. Helland's innovative live looping technique coupled with Stephenson's animated percussion produces a sound that makes it hard to believe there are only two people on stage. The songs are catchy and the music is addictive, perfect therapy for a world gone mad.
Touring across the US incessantly since 2005, they play over 100 shows a year, their performances a lively and animated tribute to the free spirit lifestyle.
They are currently working on their new CD slated for a 2010 release and will be touring year-round.
House Of Cards
Frenchy and the Punk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The guests arrive, right on time.
Champignon and vino noir
It's a soiree at the house of cards
Sideways glance, hushed romance,
secret signs, pinched behinds,
rendezvous and entre nous
But beware, beware,
to whom you dare
entrust your secrets
Keep a cat in the bag
At the house of cards.
Cheeky conversations
Lengthy explanations
innuendoes abound at dinner
in the house of cards.
Jalousies run rampant
Sarcasm flows like wine
Tongues more slippery than satin
It's dessert at the house of cards
But beware, beware,
to whom you dare
entrust your secrets
Keep a cat in the bag
At the house of cards.
Poison in the cabernet
A woman's life, fallen prey
For who can surely help reveal
The villain in the house of cards.
But beware, beware,
to whom you dare
entrust your secrets
Keep a cat in the bag
At the house of cards.
Everybody's pointing fingers
The butler is at large
Clueso can't find his notebook
And Sherlock Holmes, well... he's just high!
Beware,
to whom you share
your confidentiality
Don't reveal your hand...
Take care, take care
Lest your fare
As an unsuspecting casualty of the games they play
Lest you fall prey
In the house of cards.
The song "House of Cards" by Frenchy and the Punk introduces us to the atmosphere of an elegant gathering where guests gather to indulge in champagne, wine, and witty banter. The lyrics describe a party that takes place in a palace of lies, where gossips and scandalous romances reign supreme. Throughout the song, the listener is warned to be cautious, as secrets that are shared might slip out, and betrayal is afoot. The chorus serves as a warning to not be too trusting of even the closest acquaintances, particularly in the house of cards, where the stakes are high, and every move counts.
The song's haunting melody and exotic lyrics are a nod to the band's unique style. House of Cards by Frenchy and the Punk is a satire about the intrigues, political maneuvering, and social battles that are rampant in high society. The singer tells the story of a fanciful gathering of pompous society guests where attending is practically a mousetrap. The sense of danger abounds throughout the song. The guests spend most of their time whispering to each other, and the lyrics suggest that no one can be trusted. The title of the song, in essence, is an analogy for the fragile nature of life itself when it is built upon false pretenses.
Line by Line Meaning
Eight o'clock, on the dot
The guests arrive, right on time.
Champignon and vino noir
There's a fancy party with mushrooms and red wine.
It's a soiree at the house of cards
The party is happening at a precarious and unstable environment where one small mistake could lead to an unraveling of everything.
Sideways glance, hushed romance, secret signs, pinched behinds, rendezvous and entre nous
There's a lot of flirtation, secrecy, and whispers happening at the party.
There's intrigue at the house of cards
There's a lot of mystery and schemes happening behind the scenes.
But beware, beware, to whom you dare entrust your secrets
Be careful who you tell your secrets to because they could use them against you.
Keep a cat in the bag, At the house of cards.
Keep your mouth shut and don't reveal too much or you could get into trouble.
Cheeky conversations, Lengthy explanations, innuendoes abound at dinner, in the house of cards.
There's a lot of suggestive talk and explanations being made, but it's not entirely clear what's really going on.
Jalousies run rampant, Sarcasm flows like wine, Tongues more slippery than satin, It's dessert at the house of cards
There's a lot of jealousy, sarcasm, and deceit happening, and it's all coming to a head over desserts.
Poison in the cabernet, A woman's life, fallen prey
Someone has been poisoned, and a woman has died as a result.
For who can surely help reveal The villain in the house of cards.
No one is sure who the culprit is or how to prove it.
Everybody's pointing fingers, The butler is at large, Clueso can't find his notebook, And Sherlock Holmes, well... he's just high!
Everyone is accusing each other, the person who normally solves crimes is missing their notes, and Sherlock Holmes is too busy being stoned to help.
Beware, to whom you share your confidentiality, Don't reveal your hand... Take care, take care Lest your fare As an unsuspecting casualty of the games they play, Lest you fall prey In the house of cards.
Watch who you trust with your secrets and be careful not to reveal too much or you could become a victim of the deception and intrigue at the party.
Contributed by Jackson E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Halloween111
I first heard this song live. Sam and Scott are great performers and amazing people.
@heatheryanofsky163
Entre-nous and intrique?! I'm there!
@wolfchylde
It's SOOOOO nice to get to see this without the obnoxious glitches that were present in the Marriott video feed at DragonCon this year! LOVE IT!!!
@richardburchett
I can't get over how impressive the lyrics are.
@EricWaldenUpYonder
Very cool guys, I like the Victorian/Steampunk 'Clue' angle! Looks like it was a lot of fun to make!
@frenchyandthepunk
We're playing in Chicago as part of the Steamstock Train Tour on July 23rd at the Wise Fool's Bar.
@beyondbeyondness
It is polite to be 10 minutes late.
@Amethystsquirrel
I admit I first heard this over 10 years ago at Dragon*Con and followed Scott and Sam ever since.
@Archangeldorian
Just popping about getting some music for our Steampunk wedding in the fall. This will fit in nicely. Off to purchase!
@JSolo-ko9eh
Got to see them live on at the Sproutwood Farm festival. They were electrifying!!