Scruffy The Cat

Scruffy The Cat
OriginBoston
GenresRoots rock, pop, cowpunk
Years active1983–1990, 2011
LabelsRelativity Records
Past members
  • Charlie Chesterman
  • Stephen Fredette
  • MacPaul Stanfield
  • Randall Lee Gibson IV
  • Stona Fitch
  • Burns Stanfield
Websitescruffythecat.com

Scruffy The Cat was a roots rock/pop/cowpunk band from Boston,[1] active from 1983[2] to 1990. They also played a few reunion shows in 2011, prior to the death of lead singer and guitarist Charlie Chesterman in 2013.

At times credited as a forefather of the alt-country movement,[3] the band's line-up consisted of Charlie Chesterman (guitar, harmonica, vocals); Stephen Fredette (lead guitar, vocals); MacPaul Stanfield (bass); Randall Lee Gibson IV (drums); Stona Fitch (electric banjo, mandolin, accordion, keyboards 1984-87); and Burns Stanfield (keyboards 1987-90). Their music was once described as "a combination of early Elvis Costello and the Attractions with a touch of Jason & the Scorchers’ tough country punk and the American jangle of the Byrds."[4]

  1. ^ Cragin, Sally (5 Feb 1985). Cellars by Starlight, Boston Phoenix
  2. ^ Miles, Milo (24 March 1987). Pop-pourri, Boston Phoenix
  3. ^ Perry, Jonathan (10 June 2011). Charlie’s angels: An all-star benefit celebrates the music of the former Scruffy the Cat frontman, Boston Herald
  4. ^ Horowitz, Hal (18 Aug 2014). Scruffy The Cat: Time Never Forgets – The Anthology, American Songwriter