WELCOME TO THE STANK FACTORY

About the Band

Named after the pungent water treatment plant near their rehearsal spot in Bethlehem, PA, The Stank Factory is a five piece party band inspired by the jazz, funk, soul, and blues sounds of New Orleans. Since their formation in October 2024, the band has performed throughout the mid-Atlantic region at jazz clubs, music festivals, libraries, outdoor bars, churches, and more.

Growing up going to Michael Arnone's Crawfish Festival in northern NJ, brothers Patrick and Alex Kerssen had talked about putting together a New Orleans style band for many years. On a whim, Patrick sent out a text to Alex, Noah, Johnny, and Spencer with two dates: one to have them over to his place to play five New Orleans tunes and a second to make some rough video demos of those tunes to try and book some gigs. A $1200 concert series gig fell into their laps, and they were off from there.

The band's sound is rooted in the New Orleans and Louisiana traditions of blues, funk, jazz, and zydeco. Influences range from New Orleans legends like Rebirth Brass Band, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Dr. John, and Professor Longhair, to artists like Ray Charles, B.B. King, Marcia Ball, and Tab Benoit. They are also working on more original music, which will be recorded soon.

Recent performance highlights include a short tour out to western Maryland and Pennsylvania, a sold out Mardi Gras weekend performance at the Deer Head Inn, and a fantastic debut at Bethlehem's Musikfest, the largest free outdoor music festival in the US. Each performance is a non-stop party - Stank always gets people clapping, shouting, and singing, no matter the time or place.