Redoubt
Could the band responsible for the most mosh pits and singalongs since Oasis' heyday really be having an existential crisis? Doug Johnstone takes a long hard look into the soul of the F ratellis
he Fratellis aren’t a band you’d think of
as suffering from existential self-doubt,
eh? But a spell out of the spotlight has left singer and guitarist Jon Fratelli with the slightest lingering doubt about his band’s success and longevity.
‘I’m looking forward to getting out and playing, seeing what the reaction is, because you’re never quite sure, are you?” he says. ‘l‘ve no idea how this album will go down. It seems to be doing all right so far. but it’s a fickle world.’
Maybe it’s the jetlag talking. The band are just back from a tour of the States, and two weeks in Europe before that, and if the ecstatic reactions they got on those jaunts are anything to go by. the Fratellis have little to worry about.
The second album in question is Here We Stand, released last month, which showcased another impeccable collection of bouncing. singalong, rifftastic anthems. It also showed a tad more diversity than the band’s million-selling debut, Costello Music, something which Jon was keen to explore.
‘We’d taken playing at lOOmph as far as it could go,’ he says. ‘l’m not sure anyone can take it further than one album, or it just becomes very samey. We were conscious of trying to have a different sound. I always felt we had the perfect songs for an indoor sweaty venue, but when you
ROCK 0F AGES
I7
Gabriella Vicky Freund Kate Nash Charlotte 1 Luke Jack Penate Abi Cilrnl Cajun Dance Cooper Pritchard Harding Party The Subways l The Kooks The Zutons
24 1’“. LIST 3-17 Jul 2008
dropped us on a main stage in a festival. it didn‘t always come across.~
Despite Costello Music‘s huge sales and the rabid enthusiasm of the band's fanbase. Jon is refreshingly candid about that first record. and surprisingly downbeat when discussing it.
‘When you tour a record for 18 months you‘ve got to love it.’ he says. ‘I didn‘t dislike the first record, but there were elements of it I wasn‘t happy with, and we were stuck with it for all that time. This time. we wanted to make sure we had a bunch a songs that will last a year-and-a-half. and will still excite us at the end of the tour.‘
In a change frotn their debut. the second album was self-produced at the band's own studio in Glasgow, a reaction to the battles they had with producer Tony Hoffer on Costello Music. Producing their own record was a steep leaming curve, but Jon is ambivalent about how much he and the band have really learned.
‘I don’t feel like I‘ve learned anything.‘ he laughs. ‘You think you have then you fall into the same fucking traps every time. Some days i feel wise. other days I just feel like a complete fucking fanny. The only thing I‘ve leamed is that I want to stay here doing this, they‘re going to have to take it off us, kicking and screaming.‘
The Fratellis play Main Stage, Sat 12 Jul.
Josie Balfour digs out the birth certificates of the oldest and youngest acts appearing at T in the Park
26
ltmayseemlikethefirstrungontheladderbut theTBreakStageatTinthePark has showcased its fare share of future superstars. Here’s this years’ selection
State of Affairs Promising Edinburgh- based foursome who cater in wonderfully heartfelt indie rock.
No Kilter
Excitineg frenzied math- punk quartet from Glasgow.
Figure 5 Much-adored skiffle- tinged. psychedelic garage pop outfit.
The Down and Outs Scratchy. catchy Glasgow quartet inspired by SOs-beat groups.
Joe Acheson Quartet Phenomenally talented outfit who skilfully mix classical. jazz. folk. rock and electronica.
The New York Fund Boozily, melancholy country rock.
SATURDAY
The Fire and l
Bass and drums- wielding heavy rock duo.
lsosceles
Scratchy. catchy guitar pop from Glasgow. See preview. page 23. Haight Ashbury Swoonsome psychedelic folk rock from this hippy 608- loving foursome.
Be a Familiar Shimmering, atmospheric post-rock .
Parka
Shouty rock'n'roll riot music for fans of the Fratellis.
Alto Elite
Soulful catchy rock- touting livesome with big hair.
SUNDAY
fir
Zoey Van Goey Super-cute trio who play little Casio keyboards. violas and accordions along with the usual indie instrument compliment.
Jocasta Sleeps There's nothing remotely drowsy about this rocking Glasgow quanet
Ex Wives
They say. "Two divorced women and a drum machine: like Le Tigre but with less facial hair".We say. cool! Frightened Rabbit Rough-edged. emotive indie from this year's lads most likely to. Edgar Prais
Pint puller from Aberdeen's Tunnels meets Morgan and Patillo from Alyssa's Wish for long passionate nights of 'drunken guitar pop“.
The Vivians Professional punks with a police presence virtually guaranteed at most of their concerts. High energy stage antics at every turn.
Fangs
With a lead singer called 'The Queen' and an intriguing Rocky Horror/ Stones style logo. these nu avant gardists are going to be mega.
>>
32 35 38 Jack Miss Kittin Irwin White Sparkes
The Raconteurs
lho l loosieis