Ferris McFoley

Biography

Dive into the exciting world of Ferris McFoley, a dynamic duo that reinvents the legendary pop hits of the 80s in fresh, contemporary melodic rock sounds. Experience how these talented musicians transform yesterday's classics into today's anthems, taking the energy and passion of that era to a new level.

THE 80s
Great songs, crisp synthesizers, haunting melodies, big hair and lots of neon: The charts of the 80's were dominated by melodic hard rock as well as pop and wave bands that competed with each other, at least in terms of hairstyles, but also with their flair for great songs. The camps were split between rockers and poppers, but the music of both styles still endure, and the odd pop/wave hit has many a hard rocker humming along today. 40 years later, many of these songs have lost none of their charm, but the productions seem a bit dusty. It's time to give some of these classics a facelift. Let pop become rock.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN
What to do when you have some studio time to spare? Without further ado, you decide to start a new music project. This is what happened during the recording sessions for the progressive melodic metal band ERANAËS. In July 2023 Stephan Lipp (ERANAËS, ex SECOND REIGN) and Alain Ackermann (ELUVEITI, TVINNA) met at Mack Schildknecht's (ex FULED BY GRACE, ex CHINA) place to record the drum tracks for a handful of new ERANAËS songs. The trio made good progress and the drum tracks were recorded after two of four planned studio days. Stephan had been working on some new arrangements of eight old pop/wave classics in advance, but without a plan for what to do with them. He played Alain and Mack some of the pre-production demos, and the three agreed: the songs deserved to be re-recorded. Alain took a day off to rehearse four of the new arrangements and record them the next day. Stephan and Mack liked the idea so much that they decided to give the child a name and keep it alive beyond the studio time. This was the basis for a new band and for old songs in a completely new, rocking guise.

FERRIS McFOLEY
The birth of FERRIS McFOLEY. Or: What should be the name of a band that takes on the songs of an era? There are plenty of references to the pop culture of the 80s. Songs, bands, movies and lots of hairspray and neon. And just as many band names of tribute bands with the same ideas and references. After much thought and sleepless nights, FERRIS McFOLEY was born, a combination of names of different movie characters (Ferris Bueller from "Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”, Marty McFly from "Back to the Future," Axel Foley from "Beverly Hills Cop"). Characters from movies that are not only famous to this day, but also shine with their signature 80s soundtracks. Just as the films have not lost their 80s charm - even if some of them seem a bit dusty - the music of that time has also survived. And that it has not only survived in the heads of the generation of this probably last great music decade is also shown by current tracks and acts, which like to use and sample the sounds and melodies of the past era. This is FERRIS McFOLEY.  

FERRIS MCFOLEY is
Stephan Lipp
Born in 1974, Stephan was destined to be captivated by the electrifying music of the '80s. He found himself torn between two magnetic musical worlds: the guitar-driven anthems of the era's hair and glam bands, and the synth-infused, wave-pop gems that filled the airwaves. With the birth of FERRIS McFOLEY, Stephan, the former lead vocalist of the melodic rock outfit SECOND REIGN and the visionary behind the progressive melodic rock project ERANAËS, finally unites these contrasting worlds into a harmonious fusion. He's on a mission to transport you back in time while propelling you forward, delivering a sound that's both a nod to the past and a stride into the future.

Mack Schildknecht
Born in the early '80s, Mack may have had only a peripheral connection to the music of the era, but the influence of the decade's iconic bands and melodies was unmistakable. With his involvement in the Swiss hard rock institution CHINA as well as his own alternative rock formation FULED BY GRACE, he earned a reputation as a respectable musician and songwriter. During his role as the producer of 'Gravity,' the debut album by melodic rock band SECOND REIGN, Mack's path converged with Stephan's. Eversince, their creative synergy sparked, and they embarked on numerous musical ventures together. In FERRIS McFOLEY, he assumes the role of the maestro behind the powerful guitars, complementing Stephan's synth-driven style.