Franz Ferdinand: RFI

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No, not the guy who was killed and set off The Great War. The band who's about to release their 2nd ep on Domino with an album to follow in February. KEXP's been playing the bejesus out of Darts of Pleasure and I like what I'm hearing very much. Anyone in the UK seen them live? Are they just a fashion plate with little substance, or is image totally secondary to the rawk?

― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Saturday, 20 December 2003 20:03 (twenty-two years ago)

I saw them live in Amsterdam at the London Calling festival. And they were the best band playing, beating The Fiery Furnaces, Hawksley Workman and Arab Strap. A truely remarkable live-act, one of the best performances I saw this year. About twelve songs, and Darts Of Pleasure wasn't even the best one.

― Thijs (zilverberg.tk), Saturday, 20 December 2003 23:38 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh good, that's exactly the kind of thing I wanted to hear.

― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Sunday, 21 December 2003 00:12 (twenty-two years ago)

Well, saw them supporting B&S in Liverpool... not amazed. They have potential, but not as much as everyone thinks they do. The odd decent tune, but some utter clunkers too.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Sunday, 21 December 2003 12:17 (twenty-two years ago)

hmmm. heard on radio and underwhelmed. normal sounding.

― P.Penn, Sunday, 21 December 2003 12:50 (twenty-two years ago)

i just heard the second ep -- it's not great, but purty fun and well done. it piqued my interest over the coming album -- and fuck if that isnt what an ep teaser is supposed to do.

― jack cole (jackcole), Sunday, 21 December 2003 15:10 (twenty-two years ago)

Saw them at Reading and liked them quite a lot - I think they're better live than on record, by far, a lot more bouncy and twitchyenergetic and charming. And they have a song about Gavrilo Princip!

― cis (cis), Sunday, 21 December 2003 16:31 (twenty-two years ago)

Thought that whole Darts of Pleasure thing was smug and wank, but someone sent me 'Take Me Out' and I'm quite fond of it. The entire first minute is a ridiculous Strokes-knockoff and then it just suddenly descends into this great stompy thing instead.

― Ferrrrrrg (Ferg), Sunday, 21 December 2003 16:55 (twenty-two years ago)

?! utterly underwhelming, bog-standard live act

― geeta (geeta), Sunday, 21 December 2003 17:58 (twenty-two years ago)

Except for that cute guitar/keyboard player, I agree with Geeta.

― Arthur (Arthur), Sunday, 21 December 2003 18:47 (twenty-two years ago)

Franz Ferdinand are the Scottish Strokes, or to put it another context they are "The Skids" of the so called NME "New rock revolution"

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 21 December 2003 18:49 (twenty-two years ago)

yeah, what geeta said.

― lauren (laurenp), Sunday, 21 December 2003 18:56 (twenty-two years ago)

The short one is very cute, though.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Sunday, 21 December 2003 18:58 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh, and Martian - 3-0.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Sunday, 21 December 2003 18:58 (twenty-two years ago)

what lauren said.

― stirmonster, Sunday, 21 December 2003 19:00 (twenty-two years ago)

youbastardbloodyscummerswygart ;-) it looks like your best ever week and that wimpy Ballboy are on Peel this week, ..and i bet the twee indie-pop mafia have ruined the Festive 50 as well. Live just sucks when your team is stranded in the relegation zone - but don't forget Pompey have had years of experience of fighting off relegation scraps. We will do a Brum City and get new players in during January. And your lot still have to come to Fratton Park - revenge will be sweet !

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 21 December 2003 19:07 (twenty-two years ago)

NME-indie-rock-by-numbers

― Ben Dot (1977), Monday, 22 December 2003 02:57 (twenty-two years ago)

tut tut, stirmonster!

― RJG (RJG), Monday, 22 December 2003 03:02 (twenty-two years ago)

i think he had them play at optimo(espacio).

― jed (jed_e_3), Monday, 22 December 2003 03:13 (twenty-two years ago)

that is why I am!

― RJG (RJG), Monday, 22 December 2003 03:56 (twenty-two years ago)

tut tut?

sheesh! i really miss internet anonymitity!

you know, i wish franz ferdinand global hugeness as they are totally lovely and cute as hell - i would marry paul the drummer tomorrow if he'd have me! but not being of the indie persuasion, they don't really float my boat. that is all.

― stirmonster, Monday, 22 December 2003 09:50 (twenty-two years ago)

Brilliant band live and on record. Strokes comparisons are a bit weird more like Josef K or a compitent Orange Juice. Arty as well which can only be a good thing.

― Dave Dave, Monday, 22 December 2003 13:26 (twenty-two years ago)

At the start a week I was very exited by FF, by the end of the week utterly bored with them.

― kinski (kinski), Monday, 22 December 2003 13:51 (twenty-two years ago)

have 'michael dracula' (another glasgow band) been signed to the restarted ze records? what are they like?

― cozen (Cozen), Monday, 22 December 2003 18:17 (twenty-two years ago)

"NME-indie-rock-by-numbers"

"Franz Ferdinand are the Scottish Strokes"

I am baffled by both of these statements.

― person#0 (person#0), Monday, 22 December 2003 18:26 (twenty-two years ago)

yup, michael dracula are the first new ze signings. what are they like? well, i'd say they are very ze esque. a little bit no wave esque, quite trashy, catchy songs, lots of energy - ace in fact.

they should have their first ep out early in 2004.

― stirmonster, Monday, 22 December 2003 23:15 (twenty-two years ago)

*name drop* i know the girlfriend of the drummer (ben?) and their keyboardist is amazing (leery?), really beautiful. i was meant to see them play the art-school but had to leave before they started. (i didn't think much of mars hotel, john yummy fur's new band, who supported that night. live it felt a bit staid but they could work better on record. i guess you might've heard them, what are they like (on record)?)

― cozen (Cozen), Monday, 22 December 2003 23:52 (twenty-two years ago)

hee! i was going to mention leery (sp?) in that last post. she is completely mental (in a good way) and looks fantastic on stage. last time i saw them, i think she managed to smoke half a dozen ciggies in a twenty minute set - she's a rock and roll legend in the making.

i haven't heard the mars hotel at all so can't report on that. the recorded dracula stuff stuff sounds fantastic to my ears although it seems that the vocals are a bit of an aquired taste for some people. they remind me a little of lydia lunch which in my world is a good thing. the remixes of the first two michael dracula singles are of course excellent :-)

― stirmonster, Tuesday, 23 December 2003 00:14 (twenty-two years ago)

they r sexy razor edged right angle guitar fest! or so i hear

― minna (minna), Tuesday, 23 December 2003 00:15 (twenty-two years ago)

They have a girl? As a keyboardist? I take it she was ill/dead/in prison for the time I saw them (supporting B&S, Northumbria University)?

― person#0 (person#0), Tuesday, 23 December 2003 00:17 (twenty-two years ago)

er, the girl keyboardist is in michael dracula, not ff.

― stirmonster, Tuesday, 23 December 2003 00:18 (twenty-two years ago)

D'oh, should have paid more attention, my apologies

― person#0 (person#0), Tuesday, 23 December 2003 00:20 (twenty-two years ago)

minna you're talking about franz ferdinand?

― cozen (Cozen), Tuesday, 23 December 2003 00:21 (twenty-two years ago)

who isn't??

― RJG (RJG), Tuesday, 23 December 2003 00:28 (twenty-two years ago)

oh.

― RJG (RJG), Tuesday, 23 December 2003 00:29 (twenty-two years ago)

i don't know :/

― minna (minna), Tuesday, 23 December 2003 02:01 (twenty-two years ago)

so much trouble, young lady

― prima fassy (bob), Tuesday, 23 December 2003 04:56 (twenty-two years ago)

two weeks pass...

Is one of them in a band scatter as well?

― flowersdie (flowersdie), Monday, 12 January 2004 16:32 (twenty-two years ago)

The full-length has now made an appearance on slsk, if anyone's interested. I'm not sure yet whether I hate it or love it (it's one of *those*).

― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Monday, 12 January 2004 16:48 (twenty-two years ago)

Franz Ferdinard get a mention in a feature in today's Glasgow Herald (The feature incidentelly marks a new low in the utter crapness of clueless Scottish music media hackdom! "The last time Scotland had a music scene that was worth shouting about, Jim Kerr was wearing leggings."!!!!!!!)

― Old Fart!!! (oldfart_sd), Monday, 12 January 2004 17:22 (twenty-two years ago)

Kerr was still wearing leggings in 1997?

― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Monday, 12 January 2004 17:28 (twenty-two years ago)

Ha. I've seen Dogs Die in Hot Cars' bus around Glasgow for a few years now and often think "What an unmitigatedly shite name for a band". I may even have proffered this opinion on this very board. I have no desire to listen to them. Is this really the best Glasgow can do?

― ailsa (ailsa), Monday, 12 January 2004 17:40 (twenty-two years ago)

Actually, the Dogs Die In Hot Cars record isn't altogether bad, in a Futureheads kind of vein. It is an absolutely terrible name, though.

― Jason J, Monday, 12 January 2004 17:47 (twenty-two years ago)

I just can't extract any positive ideas of what I thought they would sound like based on the name. I thought maybe like Sultans of Ping or something.

― ailsa (ailsa), Monday, 12 January 2004 17:50 (twenty-two years ago)

genuine phone conversation with my mother last night

mum: 'oh, one of the neighbours sons is going to be a pop star you know'
me: 'really?'
mum: 'yes, he sings in a band called Franz Ferdinand'
me: 'ha ha ha!'
mum: 'i hope he doesnt get shot or something'

― zappi (joni), Monday, 12 January 2004 18:03 (twenty-two years ago)

yeh i think one of them is in scatter too. chris? alex? one of those two. i think scatter are a bit better though.

― cozen (Cozen), Monday, 12 January 2004 18:46 (twenty-two years ago)

Yeah, I think scatter are a bit more 'interesting'. But VER KIDS were going mental for FF at the terrible indie club I frequented at the weekend. The single is number two in the midweeks....

― flowersdie (flowersdie), Thursday, 15 January 2004 12:57 (twenty-two years ago)

Yes that Dogs Die in Hot Cars band should get a better name - how about Chewing Gum Loses Flavour on Bedpost Overnight?

― Neil Willett (Neil Willett), Thursday, 15 January 2004 13:32 (twenty-two years ago)

zappi=joni and in glasgow?

it is funny because I heard of a girl called joni living somewhere where the bassist, I think, from franzo lives now, in glasgow.

― RJG (RJG), Thursday, 15 January 2004 13:49 (twenty-two years ago)

Dogs Die in Hot Cars could always do a "Fuzzbox" and contract their name to something more manageable!!!!! Like for example "Hot Cars"!!!!!!!

NME would probably want to put them on the front cover with a name like that!!!!!

― Old Fart!!! (oldfart_sd), Thursday, 15 January 2004 14:12 (twenty-two years ago)

Joni is not a woman.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Thursday, 15 January 2004 14:12 (twenty-two years ago)

how queer.

― RJG (RJG), Thursday, 15 January 2004 14:59 (twenty-two years ago)

Joni may not be a woman but he is still very sweet.

― flowersdie (flowersdie), Thursday, 15 January 2004 16:05 (twenty-two years ago)

Sorry if this is old news, but I found out that 2 of Franz Ferdinand used to be in The Yummy Fur which partly explains some of the similarities.

― Chewshabadoo (Chewshabadoo), Friday, 16 January 2004 22:26 (twenty-two years ago)

sorry if this has been asked/answered elsewhere, but does anyone know the US release date of the full-length?

― Kareem Estefan (Kareem Estefan), Saturday, 17 January 2004 15:16 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh wow, i just saw them perform on CD;UK (the song was catchy, was #2 in the saturday charts) and the lead singer looks EXACTLY like Brett Anderson. i mean, of clone-like proportions!

― lid, Saturday, 17 January 2004 16:07 (twenty-two years ago)

Saw them last night in Brooklyn. They kicked tail. So much fun and really great hard-charging songs.

― Jeanne Fury (Jeanne Fury), Wednesday, 21 January 2004 14:47 (twenty-two years ago)

just picked up the Darts of Pleasure EP yesterday. am liking it so far!

― janni (janni), Thursday, 22 January 2004 16:17 (twenty-two years ago)

one month passes...

Now they are rich too....

http://www.nme.com/news/107785.htm

― hmmm (hmmm), Monday, 15 March 2004 15:33 (twenty-two years ago)

I have my SEVERE doubts.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 15 March 2004 18:51 (twenty-two years ago)

look on the bright side, at least this means Domino will be able to fund Geographic for that much longer.

― the surface noise (electricsound), Monday, 15 March 2004 21:57 (twenty-two years ago)

live in studio performance this morning made me feel much warmer toward them. songs better live and they are really sweet, enthusiastic guys (at least for now). very unpretentious and fun. i was completely surprised.

and they love Sparks.

― Thea (Thea), Monday, 15 March 2004 23:03 (twenty-two years ago)

I really don't want to like them. I've heard stories about them, and they were quite horrible to their old tour manager who is a friend of a friend, but I can't help myself but sing along to their songs on the radio.

If I had to choose between them and the Strokes I'll probably choose them. but then I really hate the Strokes

― jellybean (jellybean), Monday, 15 March 2004 23:41 (twenty-two years ago)

Interesting about the old tour manager...the current guy Glen seemed nice enough, but harried. I did notice band members were all wearing suspiciously pretentious pointed shoes and as Glen wasn't I wonder if they'll try to force his little foot into some and hurt him.

― Thea (Thea), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 00:09 (twenty-two years ago)

apparently most of the band are quite nice, it's just Alex who can be a bit annoying, I guess as all lead singers tend to be

― jellybean (jellybean), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 00:24 (twenty-two years ago)

Let's see what the big time does to them all. I did love the skinny shirtless pale white drummer's lack of self-consciousness. Next time round he'll have a fake tan and pect implants to stop his nipples from jiggling

― Thea (Thea), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 00:37 (twenty-two years ago)

and they love Sparks.

Yes, this is definitely in their favor. Yes yes.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 01:30 (twenty-two years ago)

http://creativeprimaryhealthcare.com/ehc/posters/l-aids.gif

― LITTLE LAMB [Jon Williams] (ex machina), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 01:52 (twenty-two years ago)

jon however many times you got yr ass kicked in jr high wasnt enough

― strongo hulkington (dubplatestyle), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 01:56 (twenty-two years ago)

jess, why do you have such a boner for me?

― LITTLE LAMB [Jon Williams] (ex machina), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 02:02 (twenty-two years ago)

also, it wasn't meant to be that big, just normal obnoxious.

― LITTLE LAMB [Jon Williams] (ex machina), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 02:02 (twenty-two years ago)

the hell does it have to do with FF?

― the surface noise (electricsound), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 02:07 (twenty-two years ago)

"U R ALL GAY"

― LITTLE LAMB [Jon Williams] (ex machina), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 02:09 (twenty-two years ago)

okay, all is forgiven

― strongo hulkington (dubplatestyle), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 02:10 (twenty-two years ago)

if liking Sparks makes me gay then I'm as queer as a 3-string guitar

― Thea (Thea), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 03:36 (twenty-two years ago)

What on earth did they do to their old tour manager?!

― Kate Jane Connolly (fixitgirl), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 15:42 (twenty-two years ago)

can't remember. but whenever I bring up Franz Ferdinand with my friends, they just give me horrible looks.

― jellybean (jellybean), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 15:45 (twenty-two years ago)

liking sparks is a good thing, but a lot of people like sparks. i don't hear any in their music, although i've tried. they're supernice guys, though.

― lauren (laurenp), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 17:00 (twenty-two years ago)

Kate, can I put your FF interview up on my blog?

― CharlieNo4 (Charlie), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 17:09 (twenty-two years ago)

Is it too early to begin wagering on FF's position in the P&J top 10 this year?

― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Friday, 26 March 2004 21:48 (twenty-two years ago)

Uuuuuughnnn.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 26 March 2004 21:50 (twenty-two years ago)

I hear they're named after an archduke.

― Sterling Clover (s_clover), Friday, 26 March 2004 21:53 (twenty-two years ago)

Ned, I'm not sure what sound that's supposed to be.

― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Friday, 26 March 2004 21:58 (twenty-two years ago)

Withering despair.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 26 March 2004 22:20 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh yeah. Me too. But you know it's going to happen...

It should be pointed out that I do, indeed, still like them.

― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Friday, 26 March 2004 22:24 (twenty-two years ago)

But you know it's going to happen

My despair is mostly over the fact that P&J 2004 is *already* being talked about.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 26 March 2004 22:26 (twenty-two years ago)

It's all jokes, Ned. Put a little levity in your Friday!

― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Friday, 26 March 2004 22:27 (twenty-two years ago)

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO

(I will have levity but it's a long boring afternoon here and I weep.)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 26 March 2004 22:32 (twenty-two years ago)

six months pass...

actually...there are three girls in micheal dracula...and they are very good...and the bassist well outfoxies the keyboard player

― anvil, Tuesday, 28 September 2004 21:02 (twenty-one years ago)

one year passes...

Take Me Out is good! What's their other stuff like?

― [jailhouse tattoo] (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 20 December 2005 17:34 (twenty years ago)

i miss the Knack. i'm glad they're back under the name Franz Ferdinand. how new and refreshing to hear "My Sharona" with Scottish accents.

― Lawrence the Looter (Lawrence the Looter), Tuesday, 20 December 2005 17:41 (twenty years ago)

Oh. Would I like this "Knack"?

― [jailhouse tattoo] (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 20 December 2005 17:43 (twenty years ago)

Yes, Adam, especially "Good Girls Don't." It is a part of the American cultural fabric.

― Tim Ellison (Tim Ellison), Tuesday, 20 December 2005 17:51 (twenty years ago)

Good-o!

― [jailhouse tattoo] (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 20 December 2005 17:52 (twenty years ago)

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