The Stanleys – ‘Everybody Dance’

Perth, Western Australia, is a long, long way from anywhere else in the world, even from other major Australian cosmopolitan centres. This makes it a great place for music, and the WA capital’s music tradition is very fruitful, with a lot of fantastic sounds coming out of it. One such great band is The Stanleys, who released their debut eponymous album in Autumn 2017.



The album immediately established The Stanleys as one of the most exciting and innovative groups in Oz. Now, due to their critical acclaim Down Under, they’re making waves in the US, with Goldmine saying of their debut,

“If there’s a better pure power pop album that’s been released in 2017, I’d like to hear it”

with Faster And Louder adding,

“Hands down, this is one of the three or four best power pop albums I’ve heard… you’ll be in heaven listening to The Stanleys. A+”

Californian pop music guru John M Borack went even further, including it at the number 92 spot in his recent book, ‘Shake Some Action 2: 200 Greatest Power Pop Albums 1970-2017‘.

When it’s done right, power pop is irresistible. The Stanleys have made sure their version is not just catchy, but also as explosive as possible, and they pulled on board a couple of power pop legends to produce their album: Australian cult hero, Michael Carpenter, and Ken Stringfellow, from The Posies. With a sound that calls to mind the legends of 70s power pop – we’re thinking Sweet, as well as Aussie legends Sherbet, and Skyhooks – their latest single, ‘Everybody Dance’, is hook after hook after hook; it picks you up from the first note and doesn’t let you go until the last chord stops ringing in your ears.

The video for ‘Everybody Dance’ is as catchy as the song. The leaders of two bad-girl gangs grab poles and attempt to unseat each other – in slow motion of course – from hoverboards. The jousters – because of course that’s what they are – circle Mark Di Renzo, the frontman of The Stanleys, while he’s singing into an old fashioned mic. It’s funny, but it’s also more than a little confrontational. But hey – everyone loves a challenging clip don’t they!

Check out The Stanleys on their official website for details of their music and upcoming tour dates.

About the author

Lisa has been writing for over 20 years, starting as the entertainment editor on her university newspaper. Since then she's written for Popwrapped, Maximum Pop, Celebmix, and ListenOnRepeat.

Lisa loves all good music, with particular fondness for Jedward and David Bowie. She's interviewed Edward Grimes (Jedward), Kevin Godley, Trevor Horn, Paul Young, Peter Cox (Go West), Brendan B Brown (Wheatus), Bruce Foxton (The Jam), among many many more. Lisa is also available for freelance writing - please email lisa@essentiallypop.com

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