THE FRANK AND WALTERS
www.thefrankandwalters.ie
   
The Frank and
Walters began in Cork, it was the early 90's and their mission was to spread
cheer and optimism throughout the world via their music. Naming themselves after
some eccentric old boys from down the road, their energetic live shows,
infectious melodies and seemingly irrepressible happiness built up a loyal
following and before very long, every major and independent record label was
showing interest. In 1991 the Franks signed to Setanta Records.
They very quickly
got down to business. First they relocated to London and
released a string of critically acclaimed EP’s, filled with
crafted and memorable songs - 'Fashion Crisis Hits New York',
'Michael' and 'Walter's Trip'. Choosing to earn their fame they
played hundreds of gigs (becoming infamous for wearing oversized
purple and orange uniforms at the slightest provocation).
Initially supporting the Inspiral Carpets and Carter USM on
their tours, the bands’ popularity grew and later on, as
headliners, they were supported by Suede and Radiohead.
Interestingly enough they also had a young man named Noel
Gallagher as their roadie.
In October 1992 their first album, 'Trains,
Boats and Planes' was released on GO! Discs. With indie anthems
like 'Fashion Crisis Hits New York', 'Walters Trip' and 'This is
not a Song' jostling for attention, critical and popular acclaim
were a given. All this vast potential finally exploded in
January 1993 when the Franks released their most recognisable
tune - 'After All'. With it's gloriously catchy chorus and
general up-beatness it was the perfect antidote to the dark
winter days, and it thundered into the UK charts at number 11 –
providing the band with their first appearance on ‘Top Of The
Pops’.
Their second album, 'Grand Parade' unleashed their full
potential and to this day remains a classic. Described at the
time as "The jauntiest of melodic joys" by the NME. With tracks
like 'Colours', 'Indian Ocean', 'Tony Cochrane' and 'How Can I
Exist' the record propelled the band to new heights.
The band opted to relocate to New York and write another album.
‘Beauty Becomes More Than Life’ is generally recognized as a
watershed album in the band's career. "Music that will change
your life" was a description given by one notable industry
executive. “A lost classic for the 21st century” was how the NME
described it. The Franks said “It was in the shop, ye didn’t
look hard enough!”
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Fifteen months
after 'Beauty Becomes More Than Life' the bands
fourth album ‘Glass’ was released. The album
represented a journey for the band where they
decided to pursue an electro-pop theme and tip
their hats to the music they had grown up with.
The album, which was well received, has since
been described as being “15 years too late and 5
years too early”, but this was by Ashley, who’s
just the drummer so it doesn’t count.
In late 2002, having spent the
year touring the recently released 'Best Of' the
band opted to take a break from gigging and
recording, choosing to recharge their artistic
batteries.
In early 2005 they began writing again and
signed to Fresh Indie Frontal Attack Records
(www.fifarecords.com). Starting with a new
double album release 'Souvenirs' in October 2005
and to be followed by a new album in April 2006
'Renewed Interest in Happiness', the band are
preparing to take their rightful place as one of
music’s most creative and enduring acts.
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