Roxferry | Sly
Roxferry's "Sly" - how two brothers from Port Macquarie, Australia turned their garage rock vision into a fan-favorite anthem about broken vows and hard-won clarity in 2023.
Story Behind “Sly”
Two Brothers, One Garage, Zero Apologies
Roxferry started where the best rock bands always do, in a garage. Brothers Clay and Jake Teiffel began making music together in their family garage in Port Macquarie, a coastal town on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales better known for beaches and serenity than heavy riffs. By 2017, they were jamming together, and by 2018 they’d officially formed Roxferry, initially as a trio with bassist Charlie Hull before eventually paring down to just the two of them.
“Sly” emerged in 2023 as the title track from their debut EP, arriving at a crucial moment in the band’s evolution. The track immediately stood out as something special, a raw, unapologetic garage rock anthem that captured everything the Teiffel brothers had been building toward.
The Sound That Grew Too Big for Port Macquarie
By the time “Sly” dropped on July 19, 2023, Roxferry had already built a reputation through relentless local gigging and support slots with established Australian acts like Thirsty Merc, WAAX, and Black Rheno. They’d caught the attention of Triple M’s ‘Hard and Heavy’ program, signaling that their sound was connecting with audiences beyond the regional scene.
The duo’s influences are worn proudly on their sleeves, Royal Blood’s bass-heavy attack, Queens of the Stone Age’s desert swagger, and Muse’s arena-sized ambitions. But what makes “Sly” work isn’t just the sum of its influences. It’s the distinctly Australian edge, the Teiffel brothers’ energy, and lyrics that cut deep about a relationship gone toxic.
“Sly” Recording and Production Details
The Brothers Behind the Board
Clay and Jake Teiffel handle production duties themselves, keeping creative control entirely in-house. This DIY approach runs through everything Roxferry does, from recording to the band’s increasingly popular social media presence. Clay, credited as Clay William Teiffel on the songwriting and composition, serves as vocalist and bassist, while Jake provides the pounding drums that drive the track.
The self-produced approach gives “Sly” an immediacy that studio polish might have smoothed away. There’s a rawness to the recording that captures what reviewers describe as Roxferry’s “electrifying and intense” live show energy.
Making Two Sound Like Many
One of the most impressive things about “Sly” is how massive it sounds coming from just two musicians. Live, Roxferry utilizes harmonizers, octave shifters, and loops to fill out their sound without losing the visceral impact of a stripped-down lineup. Clay’s bass lines drive the track with a relentless groove while Jake’s drums provide the foundation that keeps everything locked in.
The production on “Sly” captures what one reviewer described as “hooks that stick and lyrics that cut straight to the bone.” At 3:46, the track doesn’t waste a second, it’s all forward momentum and building intensity, hitting hard from the opening notes.
Notes About “Sly” by Roxferry
Release Date: July 19, 2023
Duration: 3:46
Genre: Garage Rock / Alternative Rock / Indie Rock
Album: SLY EP (4 tracks, 13 minutes total)
Producer: Clay Teiffel, Jake Teiffel
Label: Self-released
Available In: 24-bit/96kHz high-quality download on Bandcamp
Roxferry “Sly” Era Band Details
EP Details
EP Title: SLY
Release Date: July 19, 2023
Label: Self-released
Producers: Clay Teiffel, Jake Teiffel
Tracklist: 1. Sly (3:46), 2. Animal (3:27), 3. Sick Lust (2:54), 4. Black Light Angel (3:48)
Total Runtime: Approximately 13 minutes
Format: Digital (all streaming platforms), High-resolution download available
Band Members
Clay William Teiffel - Vocals, Bass Guitar, Songwriter, Producer
Jake Teiffel - Drums, Songwriter, Producer
Band Background
Originally formed in 2018 as a trio with bassist Charlie Hull
Now operates as a two-piece, following the Royal Blood template
From Port Macquarie, Mid North Coast of New South Wales, Australia
Influences include Royal Blood, Queens of the Stone Age, Muse, Idles, Foo Fighters
Featured on Triple M’s ‘Hard and Heavy’ program
National airplay on triple j Unearthed
Have supported Thirsty Merc, WAAX, Black Rheno, Dead City Ruins, and Southern River Band
Currently boast 140K+ Instagram followers
Planning European tour for early 2026
Interesting Facts About “Sly”
A Fan-Favorite That Set the Template
“Sly” quickly became more than just an EP title track, it established itself as a fan-favorite staple that continues to define Roxferry’s sound. When music press covers the band, “Sly” is consistently cited as the song that captures their essence: reckless abandon balanced with hard-won clarity. The track sets the thematic tone that would carry through their subsequent releases, exploring themes of toxic relationships, betrayal, and the scars that linger after trust is broken.
The song’s lyrics don’t hold back: “I can see blood drying where you stand” repeats as a haunting refrain, capturing the moment when someone recognizes the damage their partner has caused. Lines like “The vows that we made / So now I must erase you” speak to the painful process of moving on from a relationship built on lies.
From Regional Scene to National Attention
What makes Roxferry’s rise particularly notable is their trajectory from a small coastal town to national recognition. Port Macquarie isn’t exactly known as a rock music hub, but the Teiffel brothers have carved out a path that’s seen them move from local open mics to packing venues from Sydney to Melbourne. The “Sly” EP marked a turning point, suddenly, the band that had been grinding on the regional circuit was getting attention from triple j Unearthed and building an audience well beyond New South Wales.
Their live shows have become legendary for their intensity. Reviews describe Jake’s infectious smile as he delivers “the kick in the ass that drives the band’s sound,” while Clay brings “a ball of energy delivering some super slick riffs and grooves.” The duo has perfected the art of making two people sound like a full band, and “Sly” translates that live energy into recorded form remarkably well.
Common Questions
Q: Who are the members of Roxferry? A: Roxferry is a duo consisting of brothers Clay Teiffel (vocals, bass guitar) and Jake Teiffel (drums). They’re from Port Macquarie on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, Australia. The band originally formed as a trio in 2018 but now operates as a two-piece.
Q: What is “Sly” by Roxferry about? A: “Sly” deals with the aftermath of a toxic relationship, exploring themes of betrayal, broken vows, and the difficult process of moving on. The lyrics describe recognizing a partner’s destructive behavior and the scars that remain: “I scratch the scars but somehow I can feel you still.”
Q: What genre is Roxferry? A: Roxferry is primarily classified as garage rock, with strong influences from alternative rock and indie rock. The band cites Royal Blood, Queens of the Stone Age, and Muse as key influences, blending heavy bass-driven riffs with punk energy and arena-rock ambitions.
Q: When was “Sly” by Roxferry released? A: “Sly” was released on July 19, 2023, as the title track from Roxferry’s SLY EP. The four-track EP runs approximately 13 minutes and is available on all major streaming platforms as well as Bandcamp in high-resolution format.