OCK FOLLY?
’\‘ AUTUMN
Miles Johnson takes a look at The Fratellis and ponders their resilience against the hardships of the music business.
it the wake of li'ran/ lierdinand and the Arctic Monkeys it seems that record companies have adjusted their tactics. livery year sees a selection of hatchling bands being signed. tooled up and sent over the parapet to face the artillery ol' the Top 40. Most get shot to pieces. succumbing to a sloyv second-album death in the industry mud of no man‘s land. but every so often they storm the mainstream. ready to stare Jonathan Ross right in the eyes. (ilasgovv three-piece The Fratellis have just arrived on the trout line. They'd played only eight gigs before being snapped tip by lsland-l'niversal just over a year ago. and their brand ol‘ punk-inspired guitar stomp has in recent weeks seen their single '(‘helsea l)aggers' cuddled up to every national radio playlist and charging to number live in the singles chart. Led by guitarist and singer Jon l’ratelli the band are tipped to be the latest in a vvave of Scottish acts to achieve widespread commercial success. But hovv much of this near-instant ascendancy lies with the hand and how much with a boardrotnn ol‘ sweaty record execs. shrevvdly planning the next ‘grassroots‘ phenomenon to thrust upon us'.’ And with so many similar acts. skin-tight jeans and sculpted haircuts glistening. what makes them any dil'l‘erent'.’ (‘hris Scott. the man responsible for The Fratellis marketing at lsland-l'niversal Records. is quick to dispel any ideas that their success so far has been pre- orchestrated. ‘That's not the case at all. It did all happen very quickly for them but they are a strong band and Jon is a particularly talented songyvt‘itet‘. It‘s not like we all sat around a table and \vent. "Right. we've got this band with some songs. How should we make them up?" The raw materials were already there and we have just marketed them.‘ It seems clear that The Fratellis possess an instantly
24 THE LIST c“! Sop—5 Oct Qt‘t‘rt“
‘THERE IS DEFINITELY A REAL RAWNESS TO THEM'
appealing quality as David l)tlll_\ ol' ()‘llenry's. the
diminutive (ilasgoyy venue where they played their
lirst gig in early 2005. recalls. 'teali a real hti// had got around about them. We only hold about St) people btit over lllll turned tip to see themf
Most hands are lucky to play their lirst gig to more than three men and a poodle. htit l)til'ly doesn't see their instant sell out and mill success as a result ol good fortune. 'It‘s the songs. really. 'l'hcir lyrics jtist tell brilliant stories'.
It is one thing to sell otit siiiall hoinyytovyn \llU\\s but another to break the top ten. l)a\e .\lc(icachati l'roin promoters I)l" ('oiicei'ts sees a layoiii'ahle cny ii‘oniiient for Scottish acts as well as catchy songs as the di‘iy ing force behind The l‘ratellis‘ rise. '()b\ iously. the record company has been doing a certain amount ol planning btit there is definitely a real rayyness to them.‘ .\lc(ieacliaii. like many others. is also predicting that ’l‘hc liratellis~ blit/kricg upon British music will continue its momentum well into the new year. 'I can see them end tip high tip the bill at 'I‘ in the l’ai‘k.'
.-\ny hand that c\periences the breakneck success that The l‘i'atellis have. whether the musical second coming or not. are bound to be vicyyed in certain quarters \\llll enyy and suspicion. But as singer/song“riter and new industry darling- on-the-block l’aolo .\'utini \yisely opined in a recent interview with The List. in their busincv ',\oii'\c got to make sure you're getting everything you can otit til" it now because it. you're not. then who is." .'\t the moment. at least. The l-ratellis are hay iiig a ball. Only time yyill tell it. the) “ill 11o on to 'do a l*i';iii/' or succumb to a bad case ol‘ the second album blues.
The Fratellis support Kasabian at SECC Glasgow, 7 Dec.
47‘
I The Cooper Temple Clause Even Didz' defection to Dirty Pretty Things can't halt the fury. King Tut's. Glasgow. 29 Oct: LlQUld Room. Edinburgh. 30 Oct.
I Lordi Comedy goth-metal from the EurOVISion versnon of Slipknot. Carling Academy. Glasgow. 30 Oct.
I Macabees Wistful. brand new indie—rock from Brighton. Cabaret Voltaire. Edinburgh. 31 Oct
I Calexico Tex-Mex alt.country from Burns and Convertino. ABC. Glasgow. 1 Nov.
I Jet AUSSle cock-rockers pick up where they left us hanging. Barrowland. Glasgow. 3 Nov.
I Metric Delightful Canadian pop from the Broken Sootal Scene affiliates. Arches. Glasgow. 5 Nov.
I Tapes n’ Tapes Kooky young Yanks wrth a taste for that old Pavement sound. quwd Room. Edinburgh, 6 Nov.
I Lucinda Williams Grammy- gathering country lady and sometime ‘best songwriter in America'. Barrowland. Glasgow. 6 Nov.
I Muse Supermassuve astronomical action with one of the bands of the year. SECC. Glasgow. 7 Nov.
I Slayer Old-time thrash mob still seem to draw the crowds. SECC. Glasgow. 2 Nov.
I Rancid Ageing Californian punk types still going strong. Barrowland. Glasgow; Studio 24, Edinburgh. 9 Nov.
I The Flaming Lips More delightful high-concept mayhem, and some great tunes. SECC. Glasgow. 10 Nov.
I Hayseed Dixie lmperious bluegrass/rock'n'roll fusion. Get the title pun? Liquid Room. Edinburgh. 12 Nov.
I Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band Recently reformed art/comedy crossover from the days of psychedelia. Usher Hall, Edinburgh, 13 Nov.
I Ron Sexsmith Canadian singer songwriter and favourite of the stars. Liquid Room, Edinburgh. 13 Nov; Oran Mor, Glasgow. 14 Nov.
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