Punters Kick Across the Maritimes
By Barry Walsh

It may indeed be a dream come true for Larry Foley, lead singer of Newfoundland's "kinda-keltic" rock band The Punters--singing in front of thousands of fans in an arena.

So what if he'll be singing the national anthem at a Halifax Mooseheads game, it's still pretty impressive.

As is the response that the Punters' latest CD is receiving. "Said She Couldn't Dance," re-released by the fledgling indie label Loggerhead Records (distributed by Universal Music), is still picking up steam across the country, thanks in no small part to the number of expatriate Newfoundlanders who want to hear, and see, a piece of home.

"We've automatically got that 'in' when we hit a town somewhere that has some folks from home," says Foley, in Halifax as part of a current Maritime tour.

"You can be playing and once they find out you're from St. John's they want to reach out and touch you."

If all goes according to plan, that situation may extend to others besides Newfoundlanders abroad. Videos for the two singles from the album, "Reena" and "Go To It," have received considerable airplay on MuchMusic via Mike Campbell's MuchEast, helping to spread the Punter gospel to far-flung reaches of the country. And having major- label distribution doesn't hurt either.

"I think that's the best thing about our new deal; the record is more accessible," says Foley, peering onto Barrington Street through actual rose-tinted glasses. "You can buy the record in Fort MacMurray now if you want it."

While the band is currently promoting the last record, they're also gearing up for their new album, due out in July.

"We were listening to the demos in the van on the way here," reports Foley. Fans can expect a sound that's a little rougher around the edges, with more concentration on pop hooks this time.

"We've been an edgy band from the get-go, but it's a bit more on this record," says Foley. "The spirit of the music is the same, but it may not be as jiggy as the past.

"There's so many bands doing traditional music right now, and after a while it won't be long before everybody's doing the same 10 songs, so we figured we'll stick to our roots, but we won't beat people over the head with them."

So if you don't want to be beat about the head, but you do want to be punted, check them out on tour.