FRANKIE AND THE HEARTSTRINGS KNOW HOW TO GRAFT

FRANKIE Francis has to leave soon.
He and his band Frankie and the Heartstrings have just arrived in Sheffield and need to start unloading their equipment for the next free Topman Ctrl gig.

You might think a band that has just reached number 32 in the charts would have roadies but The Heartstrings – from Sunderland – have their own ideas: “We do it ourselves because we don’t want to be “that band” and let the local crew load it. It’s our gear, we’re playing the gig, it’s our responsibility to get the gear upstairs. We’re guests in the city,” said Frankie.
“We’ve all had jobs – pubs, restaurant, office – been the other person, we’ve put gigs on ourselves and we know how people should be treated.”



Frankie’s in high spirits despite being mid-tour and suffering from travel sickness, which is why he’s sitting in the front of the van. He may miss some of the banter but it’s a small price to pay for surviving the road.
He said: “There’s been a lot of travelling involved but we’re full of energy and if one person gets off their backsides to see us they’re going to get as good a show as if there were 10,000 people there. We’re constantly on the road, we get the odd day off to go home and wash our pants.”

Frankie and the Heartstrings play this year’s Camden Crawl (April 30 – May 1), alongside Villagers, Lethal Bizzle, British Sea Power and Simian Mobile Disco.
Frankie, who has never been to the crawl before, revealed the band will play HMV Forum alongside a mystery headliner: “It’s something you always hear about and we’re certainly looking forward to being involved in.”

Frankie’s acutely aware of the band’s good fortune: “Being no 32 is such a feat for an indie band on an independent label, doing things our own way. (It’s) an amazing achievement not just for us but our label Wichita deserve a lot of glory. We’ve all worked in normal jobs so we know how lucky we are and value it a lot more preciously.”

He attributes the band’s style to Sunderland’s working class environment, adding: “(It’s) still very deprived in comparison to the rest of the country in terms of the arts and jobs generally. We’re constantly around that so we’re influenced by it. Growing up in Sunderland, we’ve all got our own success stories in that we’ve done things off our own backs. It’s a mentality driven into you – if you’re ambitious in a good sense you can achieve it if you get off your arse.”

The boys take advantage of twitter to speak to fans, respond to their most mundane requests (“what time you on tonight?”) and give away spare guest list spots: “We like the connection we have with the people who enjoy our music.”
The tweets are also an outlet for wild drummer Dave’s outlandish behaviour – he recently promised to run naked along the beach eating a plate of chips if the band hit top 10.
Said Frankie: “He does that sort of thing anyway, constantly making a fool of himself, so we can’t encourage him too much but if we get top 10 he’ll do that or if he gets too drunk tonight he’ll probably do it anyway.”

Sunderland has shaped their politics “the Tories absolutely desecrated us in the 80s and those wounds still cut deep where we’re from” but not so much that they can afford to turn down offers when they get them.

Frankie said bands might refuse to play for Topman because of the "lack of tax contributions they make as a company, but we can’t afford to do that. Being on an indie label, if someone offers you a headline tour you’ve got to do it. We’re not The Vaccines or the Brother of this world who can afford TV ads”.

Much has been made of Frankie’s new tattoo – a line drawing by singer Edwyn Collins.
Frankie said: “We recorded our album with Edwyn, he’s a massive influence on our band. He had a big health scare, a brain haemorrhage and stroke about five years ago and he overcame that. He drew an image during his recovery in hospital of a man. No-one knew what it was and he kept on drawing it because he couldn’t express himself. He didn’t know what he looked like and was bed bound so he’d draw this image. When he was able to talk he was able to say it was himself.

“I’ve wanted a tattoo for so long. I knew I wanted something memorable. It’s got such a nice story behind it. He’s more of an inspiration as a person than musically now because of what he overcame. It’s a lot bigger than I thought it was going to be.”

Taking his cue from James Dean, Frankie’s become a style icon, named GQ’s 39th best-dressed man last year.
He said: “I guess it’s a nostalgic look, I don’t think you can go wrong with smart shirt and trousers and a good pair of shoes. I’ve always dressed a little differently.”

His style doesn’t always go down well in Sunderland, he added: “You bring it on yourself if you have a quiff I guess. It takes two minutes to get ready, it takes longer to do my hair.”
Frankie’s bouffant has become a focal point, described as “impeccable” by Hurts’ Theo Hutchraft.

Frankie said: “I never use a brush or much gel, the secret of the haircut is a good taper round the sides, grade 2, a lot of weight taken off the top so you can play with it all day and then the hair dryer in the morning, get it between your knees, blow dry it till it’s bone dry, then it settles into a sort of floppy style for the whole day. “

He recalls one particularly odd gig where they played a teenage party in a village called Stanley, following a covers band playing Blink 182 and the Foo Fighters.
He said: “They went down a storm, the kids were going crazy and then we went on and we’re like this is going to be good, a big stage, loads of lighting, a sports hall. We went onstage and by the 2nd song the whole crowd like 200 kids did the conga out the door. They were dancing in the street while we’re in the venue... They didn’t mean anything by it they just weren’t interested at all.”

Frankie and the Heartstrings truly are men of the people, so don’t leave early if you want to meet them.
Frankie said: “It’s become a tradition, before the last song we’ll tell everyone if we know the area which pub we’ll be in after the gig.”
Frankie and the Heartstrings album Hunger is out now.

THE FLOWERPOT'S DEMISE + LITTLE NOISE SECRETS + CHESNEY HAWKES SAY NO MORE

DESPITE management being “gutted” at shutting down, The Flowerpot’s final night on Sunday was one hell of a party. Shame Camden loses such an important venue in the year Mayor Jonathan Simpson has worked so hard to champion the borough’s musical heritage. Luckily they’re already working on a new home.


• Now’s the time to speculate on which special guests are going to pop up at the Union Chapel’s Mencap Little Noise Sessions. I’m thinking the Pet Shop Boys, who are playing the Big Noise Sessions, may just pop in on Hurts night (Nov 17). Or how about Kylie? She recently recorded a song with Hurts, is she due in the UK around then...Course I’m still hoping to see Paolo Nutini team up with Amy Winehouse. She’s played her fair share of secret gigs lately, so maybe she’ll joins our Scottish Italian darling on Nov 16.



• Atlanta soul artist Anthony David who played the Jazz Cafe last Thursday may have a brief insight into what it's like to be inside the President of the USA's mind. Apparently, he’s on Barak Obama’s iPod (a recommendation from the wife), as well as being cousins with Shawn Stockman of Boys II Men.

• My spies at the Camden Crawl launch party at the Bull and Gate last week have tipped Jon and Jehn as a defo must when planning your crawl route next year. Early bird tickets on sale now.

• Chesney Hawkes played The Luminaire last week – yes he is still going.

• The Constitution on St Pancras Way may be off the beaten track but hey, that’s where you find rough gems. Their sideline in decent gigs is a reasonably-guarded secret, see for yourself next time you're on the hunt for a good unsigned act,

WHERE'S JOHNNY? DEPP'S STUNT DOUBLE KNOWS + LITTLE NOISE + BRAVO MOBO NOMINEES AKALA AND N-DUBS

EVER wondered what Johnny Depp’s stunt double does when not risking his life to save Hollywood’s most precious cheekbones?
Turns out Pirates of the Caribbean cast member Scott Sener is a musician. He supports Camden band Earth Prayer – fronted by Heidi Jo Hines, daughter of former Wings guitarist and Moody Blues founder member Denny Laine – at a free gig at Scars Studio, 20 Castlehaven Road, Camden Town, on Saturday.
Sener’s invited cast members so keep your eyes peeled for the genuine article – Mr Depp has been known to pop up at the odd underground gig – ask Babybird.

(Can't find a clip of Earth Prayer so here's Heidi Jo Hines on her lonesome).

• Fellow music lovers, it’s all happening. Once you’ve completed the three peaks challenge of Elton, Neil Diamond and Robert Plant at Electric Proms (Oct 28 – 30) – here’s what’s coming up.
• Regular readers will know this is my absolute fave series of gigs, Mencap Little Noise Sessions return to the Union Chapel (Nov 15 – 20) with Tom Jones, Paolo Nutini and Hurts latest headliners to be announced – my pick so far – Hurts. Be there.
• Can’t believe we’re talking about the Camden Crawl already but early bird tickets go on sale at the Bull and Gate launch gig (Oct 28) – The Chapman Family, DELS, Hook & the Twin, John & Jehn, Martyna Baker and the inevitable secret guest tba by Twitter of course!
• If you missed Tim Robbins at the Union Chapel, you can catch him supporting Paolo Nutini at the Q Awards gigs at HMV Forum (Oct 22).
Also playing are Jamiroquai (Oct 20), Chase and Status (Oct 22) and Mark Ronson & The Business INTL (+ Rose Elinor Dougal) (Oct 23).
• Bravo N-Dubz and Akala for Mobo nominations – find out if they won (Oct 20).

A LONG WEEK IN MUSIC, RIB-CRACKING AT RAGE, SCRAMBLE FOR THE STROKES AND MORE

IT feels like the longest week in music ever. From being conflicted listening to the beautiful tones of Hasidic reggae artist Matisyahu (but not so sure about his politics) at Dean Street Studios on Wednesday, to the politics-free zone at the front row for Usher’s special show at Koko (he was all about the ladies and the poses) on Friday, to feeling every rib in my body on the verge of cracking in the manic moshpit at Rage Against the Machine at Finsbury Park on Sunday, to the (failed) battle for tickets for The Strokes’ secret gig as Venison at Dingwalls last night. This is the place to be if you love music. And it’s not over yet. New Young Pony Club and fave band Hurts are at Dingwalls tonight (Thursday).

• There’s a timely appearance from Big Brother’s tantrum princess Nikki on Friday at The Monarch. We’re hearing it’s gonna be like Phoebe from Friends. Disaster/Car crash entertainment? Can't imagine you'll be able to tear your eyes away.

• Thousands crashed Dingwalls’ website in a desperate scramble for Strokes tickets. We tweeted this early – before most music press had got their acts together thanks to trusty local contacts – follow me @roisingadelrab

• This Teenage Cancer Trust Topshop Summer Bandstand picnic at Regent’s College (June 12) could be a winner. Charlotte Hatherley (ex-Ash), Chew Lips, Goldheart Assembly and Stricken City + DJ sets from New Young Pony Club, and Girlcore are on the bill. Bring a picnic as the whole area is transformed into one big picnic ground with games, rollerskating, egg and spoon races and sports day games.

• I confess I used to love this guy’s curly mop-top (remember Sandstorm, Walk Away and Alright?) – former Cast frontman and ex-bassist for The La’s John Power will be singing Cast hits at the Luminaire (June 17). 

BILLY BRAGG ET AL IN VOTES BETRAYAL, HURTS' OPERATIC TURN, AC/DC'S STRAIGHT MAN AND THE ROCK 'N ROLL SUPERGROUP

MUSICIANS love their causes don’t they? And when it comes to politics, some of our most outspoken ones just have to interfere. 

Yet I'm starting to feel sorry for all those figures who backed the Lib Dems and told all their followers to do the same. Judging by the comments on Twitter, Billy Bragg, Jon McClure and Dan le Sac are feeling a little bit cheated right now. They never expected a Lib Dem vote to morph into a Tory one overnight. 

Le Sac is demanding his vote back, McClure says “Nick Clegg What ya done man?” and poor old Bragg’s just opened a “kick my ass” page on Facebook. Hard times.

• I caught electro-80s duo Hurts at Koko’s NME Radar gig on Monday. You wouldn’t have a clue these guys are so young.

They managed to create incredible drama with little fuss – and just one male opera singer. Frontman Theo Hutchcraft - in smooth black suit and white scarf combo and gelled hair so shiny you could see your face in it - commanded the stage with the puissance of the Phantom of the Opera. Rumour has it he carries a little comb with him at all times so not a hair falls out of place. Look oout for the onstage grooming.

After hearing it live, I’d like to recall my original review for new single Better Than Love, which has all the makings of a festival anthem.

• Die-hard AC/DC fans – did you know the band’s original singer was called Dave Evans? Not such a rock ’n’ roll name as Bonn Scott but that’s not his fault. Anyway he’s coming to Holloway’s The Gaff on May 26 – for those who need to complete their rock education.

• A little-known supergroup of sorts, The John Moore Rock and Roll Trio, have been playing a series of fortnightly retro gigs at Lower Ground Bar, 269 West End Lane.

Head there to see what became of the remnants of the Jesus and Mary Chain, Black Box Recorder, Lush and The Soledad Brothers – when they turned to old fashioned rock ’n’ roll and blues. Dates on their MySpace page myspace.com/johnmoorerockandrolltrio

RECORD OF THE WEEK - HURTS, Better Than Love

AFTER falling for Hurts’ atmospheric early tracks Wonderful Life and Blood Tears and Gold, this switch to such an up-tempo dance track for their official debut single was surprising.
It still has an eighties ring, while maintaining a contemporary electro feel. 
The hooky question “Does it Feel Better Than Love?” forms a strong chorus but at times there’s too much going on. I suspect Better Than Love, though appealing to club audiences, doesn’t quite hold the same attraction that drew initial murmurings of great things for this synth duo.
Won't stop me going to see them at Koko on May 10 - supported by my new favourite Darwin Deez.
READ MY INTERVIEW WITH HURTS HERE - http://tutankarbon.blogspot.com/2010/04/hurts-on-shoestring-suffering-for-their.html

RECORD OF THE WEEK - DARWIN DEEZ, Radar Detector PLUS SPRING DANCE REVIVAL

OK I'm a bit slow on the uptake with this one and it's been out for at least two weeks but it just can't be ignored.
Gangly Darwin Deez' bizarre video is the equivalent of opening up a paintbox when you were four - a messy discovery that brought grins, imagination and a whole lot of unrealistic possibilities.
The song has an innocent ring, with an indescribable New York quality and the video is devoid of all serious pretentious posing.
The band's supporting Hurts, alongside Everything Everything at Camden's Koko on May 10.
That will be one show not to miss - prepare for a memorable night.



Also, in the interest of the sunny climes I thought it's time to resurrect Deez' The Spring Dance video from last year.
I challenge readers to bring this to UK dance floors now and when perfected, take the moves on holiday - spread the word.
It's set to an instrumental edit of the Thompson Twins' In The Name of Love.
Enjoy!

HURTS ON A SHOESTRING - SUFFERING FOR THEIR ART

STANDING over his friends scrapping outside a Manchester nightclub, Theo Hutchcraft found himself in a dilemma.
Does he dive in and punch someone for no reason or does he just stand and watch? Next to him, Adam Anderson, who was friends with the opposing side, was thinking the same.


Happily for the world of music, they chose the path of peace, got chatting about music, decided they wanted to form a band and duo Hurts was born.
But even though they swapped numbers, they remained wary of each other.

Theo said: “Our friends were not the kind of people that would get on with each other. We thought, ‘we both want to be in a band but all our friends don’t like each other for some reason so we might not like each other’. We lived in Manchester but we didn’t see each other for a very long time, we just used to speak on the internet. We thought let’s try and make music first, found a common ground through music and that made everything clear.

“We’re initially very different people but we’ve spent so much time together that we moulded into a grey kind of area.”

The duo, who are close to finishing their first album, play Koko alongside Darwin Deez and Everything Everything on May 10. They have already made huge waves among critics.
But their heads have not been turned and they prefer to suffer for their art.

Theo said: “Our first ever London show was the Dublin Castle. We drove all the way down in a Fiesta with five people and all of our equipment to play to 10 people. But it kept us going, it spurred us on, we were never dejected because one person’s enough.

“We played the Purple Turtle once. Again a disaster, but a beautiful disaster.
“The great thing about it was it keeps us level. We’ve got so much experience of things like that, playing to one person. We’ve seen it all first hand and that gives us the drive.

“I always worry about getting too comfortable, I always think we have to put ourselves through hardship. We still do it now, we didn’t buy enough equipment, we got less on purpose so we had to make do. Our studio is really grim, it’s underground, it’s got no windows. To write hopeful music you have to come from that point of need.”

And so far it’s all been on a shoestring.
They shot their first two videos themselves. Blood, Tears and Gold cost nothing, while celebrated single Wonderful Life cost £20 – which all went to the dancer.
Both can be seen on YouTube.



Theo said: “With the videos, it’s a lot to do with making do. How do you make the strongest idea possible? How can you say as much as possible with as simple a video as you can. There’s only so many times you can look through the lens, press record then run round the front, which is what we’ve been doing. It means one’s filming the other so you never get a moving camera shot of the two of us together.”

Both Theo, 23, and Adam, 25, have a distinctive smart dress sense and severe hairstyles.
Theo said: “I’ve always dressed smart but it kind of heightened a bit, there was a period about a year ago where we were at the end of our tether. We were on the dole, Adam was homeless, moved in my house, it got really bad. It kind of heightens itself when you’ve got nothing.

“To dress smart makes you feel important, you can look the world in the face and people take note of you.”

LOYAL CAMDEN GIRL AMY WINEHOUSE PULLS A MEAN PINT AND MORE GOSSIP

DEPRESSING news about plans to axe BBC 6 Music. Huey Morgan, from the Fun Lovin’ Criminals – interviewed above – recently won an award for his 6Music show.

Why, when the Beeb are permanently under scrutiny for their unwise spending of public money, do they choose to delete a gem like this? I guess they need the cash to secure endless Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps repeats – that’s what teenagers really like, right?

• l know him as the man who created Lil Chris – but to most people Gene Simmons is the make-up wearing frontman of glam-rock band KISS. He and his clan put on an incredible show but, the reason that made the gig special - that it was in such a small venue - almost backfired on them in the end. Determined to put on a worthy show, they closed the show with a sustained blast of ticker-tape. I thought we in the balcony were the only ones suffering shortness of breath from the blast of air coming from the cannons, but it appears the band also suffered and were unable to continue past the one encore.
Still it was a night to remember - even if I walked off with a headache.

• Amy Winehouse was back in her old haunts this week. She showed her allegiance to Camden’s iconic Dublin Castle by pulling pints for punters. “I’m a Camden girl,” she told me. “I’d do anything for Camden.”


(Amy Winehouse at Camden Monarch - August 2008)

• They’re the band everyone’s talking about. HURTS play Koko on May 10 and we’re gonna be there – so should you.

• Ever-innovative, ex-UK beatbox champ Beardyman’s touring again and this time he’s stopping off at 02 Academy Islington (May 2). But he’s leaving his fate in the hands of his fans. Send suggestions to him, along with your city, on Twitter with hashtag #beardytour and he’ll try to include them in his set.

• Quadrophenia or is it EastEnders’ Phil Daniels and Ian Dury/Gollum actor Andy Serkis have joined the bill for the Barbican’s celebration of the city Songs in the Key of London (March 9). Together with an eclectic collection of singers – Chris Difford, Blaine Harrison, Jools Holland, James Hunter, Mike Lindsay & Becky Jacobs (of Tunng), Natty, Rico Rodriguez, Chas Smash, Suggs, Glenn Tilbrook and Kathryn Williams – they celebrate songs about the capital.

RECORD OF THE WEEK - HURTS Wonderful Life

HURTS
Wonderful Life


I've sadly abandoned this page for the festive season but as January fades away my eyes are opening and I'm returning to the real world.
Should have posted this one before Christmas.
Hurts have evoked the best of 80s electronica with this simple, authentic track.
What do you think?