Biography
Early 2009 brought together the core of Sunderland indie romantics Frankie & the Heartstrings through a shared taste for cocktails, as lead singer Frankie Francis served at a pub regularly visited by drummer Dave Harper and guitarist Michael McKnight. The group advanced from complete unknowns to Wichita Recordings prospects in just over a year. Second guitarist Pete Gofton—brother of Kenickie and BBC figure Lauren Laverne—joined with bassist Dennis Mennis to round out the five-piece, which quickly built a broad and devoted following via a pair of singles that mixed energetic guitar jangles, boyish charm, and sharp melodies.
One of the band’s characteristically engaging live sets in nearby Newcastle, after only a couple of months of scattered local shows, persuaded Wichita to offer a management deal. Rough Trade founder Geoff Travis soon expressed interest as well, releasing a limited edition of 777 7"s of the single “Tender” without contractual obligations, while the group issued 888 copies on its own Pop Sex Ltd. label. Shows alongside North-East angular punk outfit the Futureheads helped sustain the momentum that led to a full signing with Wichita in April 2010 and appearances at festivals including Glastonbury, Latitude, and the Reading and Leeds weekend. Guitarist Mick Ross then replaced Pete Gofton, who chose to focus on production work.
October 2010 saw the release of 999 copies of the single “Ungrateful.” Although critics had already likened Frankie Francis to Edwyn Collins, the former Orange Juice frontman produced the track. The band toured the U.K. with indie popsters Summer Camp before returning to record its debut album for Wichita/Pop Sex. Hunger appeared in February 2011. Two years afterward came the sophomore album The Days Run Away. In 2015 Frankie & the Heartstrings issued their third studio album, Decency, which contained the single “Save It for Tonight.” Drummer Dave Harper died on August 25, 2021.
One of the band’s characteristically engaging live sets in nearby Newcastle, after only a couple of months of scattered local shows, persuaded Wichita to offer a management deal. Rough Trade founder Geoff Travis soon expressed interest as well, releasing a limited edition of 777 7"s of the single “Tender” without contractual obligations, while the group issued 888 copies on its own Pop Sex Ltd. label. Shows alongside North-East angular punk outfit the Futureheads helped sustain the momentum that led to a full signing with Wichita in April 2010 and appearances at festivals including Glastonbury, Latitude, and the Reading and Leeds weekend. Guitarist Mick Ross then replaced Pete Gofton, who chose to focus on production work.
October 2010 saw the release of 999 copies of the single “Ungrateful.” Although critics had already likened Frankie Francis to Edwyn Collins, the former Orange Juice frontman produced the track. The band toured the U.K. with indie popsters Summer Camp before returning to record its debut album for Wichita/Pop Sex. Hunger appeared in February 2011. Two years afterward came the sophomore album The Days Run Away. In 2015 Frankie & the Heartstrings issued their third studio album, Decency, which contained the single “Save It for Tonight.” Drummer Dave Harper died on August 25, 2021.
Albums
Singles
