Gigslutz Interview: THE FRATELLIS

Following a 3 year hiatus, The Fratellis returned at the end of last year with their third album ‘We Need Medicine’. As they prepare to release their latest single from the album ‘She’s Not Gone Yet But She’s Leaving’ Gigslutz caught up with John Fratelli for a quick natter….

Hello John! First of all how are you?

Little bit up, little bit down.

What made you reform the band in 2012 after your hiatus?

Really just to go out and play some gigs, really simple, making a record came afterwards.

Good enough as anything. We’ve been enjoying your new album ‘We Need Medicine’ here at Gigslutz. Are you happy with the reaction that it’s received thus far?

The only reaction I’ve noticed is at gigs, this record was made to be played live so I guess it works from that point of view, from what I can tell the people we’ve played these songs to have reacted to them.

Do you have a favourite track on the album?

Not really but I’m really happy with ‘Seven Nights Seven Days’ and ‘Until She Saves My Soul’.

Following the hiatus are you a more stable band and did that help you create a stronger musical bond for the recent album?

More stable, no, but there was definitely a strong idea behind what sort of album to make, i.e. one that we would still want to play five years from now.

On the release of this album did you find that there is less excitement around guitar bands than when you released your first two?

I’ve no idea what a guitar band is, half of our songs are written on piano, rock n roll is definitely less fashionable but who cares, it doesn’t make it any less potent.

Indeed. Are any of the side projects going to continue in the future or are these shelved?

Writing and making music for me has never been compartmentalized, I’ve just done what I’ve felt like doing at that particular time which I think will always be the case.

Are there any plans of UK tours and festival appearances for this upcoming year?

We toured the UK twice last year so probably not, we’ll definitely play shows though.

How would you describe your new upcoming single ‘She’s Not Gone Yet But She’s Leaving’ (released on Feb. 3rd 2014)? Do you have high hopes for it?

The only hopes you have for it are when you write and record it, that you like how it turns out, after that it’s everybody’s business but ours.

We have a monthly radio show which goes alongside the site. Would you like to select a 3 song mini playlist for this? These can be your own songs, other people, bands you want to big up, absolutely anything!

‘I Want You’ Bob Dylan, ‘Rudie Can’t Fail’The Clash and ‘Rosalita’ Bruce Springsteen

Done. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

More salt please…

Thanks a lot for taking the time to chat with us!

Pleasure!

Questions by Amelia Ward & Deanna Barlow