Stella Royale

John Spaw & Dave Craig, original members of San Francisco punk rock band The Lowdowns (JUNK RECORDS, SIDE ONE DUMMY, DISASTER, IFA, and FLT RECORDS), have founded their latest project; a four piece band based in San Francisco California known as Stella Royale (named after a vintage blues guitar and the world’s most beautiful midget).

The line up includes: John Spaw - electric/acoustic guitar, vocals David Craig – baritone/bass guitar, keys, vocals Rom Kuras – drums/percussion Kat Cornelius – trumpet/French horn, acordion, percussion

After returning from what seemed like a lifetime of touring with various circus acts and sideshows, and after failing miserably at juggling and acrobatics, John Spaw and David Craig found their true talent to be composing and performing music.

They discovered the ability to write songs filled with deep lyrics and sometimes haunting melodies using a bizarre combination of folk Americana, punk, rock n’ roll, and jazz influences.

John explains, Dave and I started out as teenage drinking buddies with a mutual passion for music. Dave was playing bass in a Ska band and I was teaching myself how to play guitar. We used to sit up all night in his Volkswagen bug, drinking beer and listening to bands like The Clash, David Bowie, Bauhaus, Velvet Underground, and The Sex Pistols. One day we decided to start our own band, we have been involved in some sort of musical project together ever since”.

Recorded in 2 months 2008, ‘Cockroach Ensemble’, the latest album from Stella Royale (Randy Girl Records), sounds like a combo plate of garage rock n’ roll, Punk Rock-Gypsi and Folk Americana.

“This latest CD release is all new music since the band reformed with Rom Kuras on drums & Kat Cornelius on Trumpet & French horn. There is definitely a fresh dynamic of sound and influence to Cockroach Ensemble, a must hear for music enthusiasts".

"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". -Corazine