George Fetner’s a bit of a chameleon. His guises have included stormy Britfolk songwriter (see: 2017’s Some Things We’ll Change), avant-garde composer (see: 2015’s Beneath the Ice) and proggy jam-rock bandleader (see: his bygone trio Pinna). But Fetner seems most natural fronting The Strays, a rangy and loose-limbed rock ‘n’ roll ensemble that’s built for a good time. The swirling Hammond swells of “Get On Up,” the greasy Tom Petty-isms of “Drinking Bourbon on a Sunday Night,” the bubbly pep of “Parachutes” — these are the calling cards of a songwriter built to bridge crowds. Hey, Fetner was born on a spaceship called rock ‘n’ roll, after all. Why not join him for a ride? — Patrick Wall, Free Times 

On Friday, July 3, 2020, dynamic rock outfit George Fetner and the Strays will release their first full-length album Longer Like This. 

Columbia, SC - Following GFATS’ 2018 self-titled EP - “a rollicking, raucous (and brassy!) joyride” (SC Music Guide) - Longer Like This maintains the bright-eyed quest for balancing meaningful songwriting with the varied influences of a seasoned nine-piece ensemble. Tracked to tape during the summer and fall of 2019, it was mixed and produced by Zac Thomas (Kylesia, Florida Man, She Returns From War) at Columbia’s own Jam Room Recording Studio. Stefan Heger mastered the album for vinyl and digital release at Fisheye Music Mastering (D’Angelo, Bhakti Without Borders, Martin Solveig). 

This debut album is lush: a room full of percussion arranged by Jeff Vaughn (USC School of Music) interlaces with Matt Fenech’s (Space Coke) emphatic drumming. Fluid Hammond and Wurlitzer from Moses Andrews (The Restoration), saccharine backing vocals by Desirée Richardson (Say Femme, Kid Trails) and Katie Leitner (Say Femme, Trustus Theatre), and floating synths prominently orchestrate the album. Lauren Watkins Vaughn (SC Philharmonic) surprises with a waxing flute solo, while Craig Butterfield (Boomtown Trio, USC music faculty) punches prog-influenced bass and Moog Taurus lines that dance with the bolstering brass of Catherine Allgrim, Will Melvin, and Davis Bowers. Anthony Charles’ and Fetner’s distinct guitar solos unwind amidst scenic musical exhibitions. 

The songs sway between wistful and coy, hopeful and cautious. The themes of Longer Like This focus on action propelled by instinct, or spontaneous revelation in a new light; moments of brightness contract to more introspective musical detours. Conceived for vinyl as a complete statement, Longer Like This shifts from side A to side B, recalling the Strays’ most influential albums. Yet, each track was produced as a distinct, individualized statement and able to stand tall as a single, a trait listeners have come to know and love about George Fetner and the Strays. In October, fans successfully funded a Kickstarter project for vinyl production, allowing the band to fully realize its large, analog sound offstage. Longer Like This, then, is the band’s own pledge to its audience: an alternative way to experience a sprawling group of lively music makers at home when they can’t make it to the stage. Longer Like This is how a live band thrives in the studio.

MERRY RUN AROUND - the new live album from South Carolina’s George Fetner and the Strays - was released on August 6, 2021. 

Following their 2018 self-titled EP - “a rollicking, raucous (and brassy!) joyride” (SC Music Guide) - and 2020’s LP Longer Like This- “an impromptu dance party with nine of Columbia’s most daring musical exhibitionists” (The State) - GFATS returns with a tribute to their roots in Merry Run Around. Tracked live by Matt Buck at 2020’s virtual Jerry Fest in Columbia, SC the album showcases bright new arrangements of Dead favorites augmented by GFATS’ signature horn sound. Merry Run Around was mixed and mastered by Zac Thomas at Columbia’s Jam Room Recording Studio. 

Though primarily focusing on Fetner’s originals, the band initially formed for a one-off appearance at the city’s Jerry Fest in 2013. With repeat appearances in the years since, GFATS established themselves as masters of the Dead repertoire, and adding horns and percussion further distinguished the band as a reliably-evolving live act not to be missed.

That opinion of the band was shared by Jerry Fest producers, who asked GFATS to perform virtually in 2020. Assembling a group of nine musicians for a brief, albeit live appearance proved challenging during the pandemic, but it’s a testament to the band’s hard work and musicality that they could nail a one-off broadcast given those constraints. Fetner recalls the energy of that night: 

“Performing music is like dreaming, getting lost in conversation, or anything where you feel the pull of time so viscerally that you begin to operate outside of it. Our set was no exception, but to suddenly be in the middle of making music after not being able to for so long was almost unbearably joyful. By the time we began our last song, “Sugaree,” I was so emotional that I almost couldn't sing. Ultimately we were honored to help the show go on, so to speak, even if that meant us traveling to our audience rather than the audience traveling to us.

To celebrate Merry Run Around (as well as last year’s Longer Like This), the band is happy to announce their return to the stage this summer:

Fri, Aug 20 – Indah Coffee, Columbia, SC (two sets)

Sat, Aug 28 – Grateful Dog Festival, Florence, SC

Fri, Sept 17 – Fr8Yard, Spartanburg, SC

Sat, Sept 18 – 185 King St., Brevard, NC (two sets)