Inspired by other alternative acts such as Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Mac DeMarco and The Strokes, Ben Gardner, Tommy Fuccillo, and Matt Hatch have been playing music together since junior high. Throughout various band names and lineup changes over the years, this core trio always endured and eventually Stella Starfox came to fruition in 2018, releasing their first singles that would make up their Bathroom Pop EP. With songs like Run and Cig No Filter, they shared their unique blend of rock, psychedelia, hip hop and electronica at festivals and shows across New England and New York. 

 

The band moved into a house together in 2021, at which point Mike “Brown” Bloniarz joined the project, bringing a new level of drum chops and precision sample triggering into the mix. Rory McRae (formerly of local legends The Roscoes) joined on New Year’s Day of this year. He’s been a stellar addition on bass ever since.

 

Today, the band features Gardner (vocals, guitar), Fuccillo (vocals, guitar), Hatch (keyboards, guitar), Bloniarz (drums) and McRae (bass). With newer songs like Chicken Pock Drop Top and Pass the Pass garnering attention, they continue to play festivals like Levitate and open for larger like-minded acts such as Makeout Reef, The Ocho, Post Sex Nachos and VEAUX.

 

Most recently, Stella released an 11-track project of lost demo recordings entitled Lost Files Vol. 1, foreshadowing an eventual debut full-length album, Off Exotica. Their next single, Hammered by a Woman, will be out on August 20.