Here is a band that is close to my heart and that is Frank and Walters from Cork City,Ireland. They were first recommended to me by my friend Jack Lyons known as (Irish Jack) the retired postman who inspired one of the greatest bands in the world, The Who, and I will tell you all about him next week. Here is the news on Franks and Walters as the original band line-up included Paul Linehan (as vocalist/bassist), his brother Niall Linehan (as guitarist) and Ashley Keating (on drums). Niall Linehan was replaced as guitarist in 2004 by Kevin Pedreschi, who was in-turn replaced by Rory Murphy in 2010. Cian Corbett joined on keyboard duties in 2005.
Signing for the Setanta label in 1991, the group debuted with the release EP1, and the lead track “Fashion Crisis Hits New York” became an indie hit. The follow-up EP “EP.2” was released soon after, which was followed by the band’s signing to the Go! Discs label where The Franks partnered with producer Edwyn Collins to record the “Happy Busman” EP. They found success in the UK, and following a tour in support of Carter USM, an Ian Broudie remix of the LP song “After All” reached the Top 20 in the UK Singles Chart, where it peaked at No. 11, and it also peaked at No. 5 in the Irish chart. The group appeared on BBC Television’s Top of the Pops in support of the single.
The band returned to the studio in August 2011 to work on a new album – released in March 2012. The first single from this album, entitled “Indie Lovesong”, was released on Valentine’s Day, 2012 and was supported by a UK tour. Their sixth studio album was named “Greenwich Mean Time” and released on March 9, 2012. The album was well received and supported by tours in Europe, USA and Japan. In September 2012 Frank and Walters undertook on a 20th anniversary celebration tour marking their debut album “Trains, Boats and Planes”, and in May 2015 released a single titled “Look at Us Now”. The band embarked on a celebratory tour during October 2017, to mark 20 years since the release of their second album “Grand Parade”. In March 2018, approximately 25 years after its original release, a cover of the Frank and Walter’s single “After All” featured in the TV series “The Young Offenders”, that is a big hit in Ireland and England and subsequently charted at No. 2 in the iTunes downloads chart for Ireland. When they come here Stateside don’t miss them as you will not be disappointed.