Time to salute the sound of young Sunderland. Frankie The Heartstrings are a throwback to a different era of indie-pop. When you hear songs such as Hungeror Tender, and especially if you're of a certain vintage, you'll be prompted to recall Orange Juice, Dexy's Midnight Runners (in their boxer-chic soul phase) and tunes that are a little bit doo-wop, a little bit soul and a little bit rock.
They also look just right. Led by part-time football commentator Frankie Francis and his quiff, and featuring ex-Kenickie guitarist Pete “Johnny X” Gofton, they swagger into the frame as if they’re the last gang in town. Let’s be honest; it’s been a while since we’ve seen such a fine exhibition of swaggering from a new band. No “chillwave” bull here.
The band know they stand out a mile and they don’t care. No one else making music as old-fashioned and heart-felt as this. “We have a vast array of inspirations and influences – and not just music,” says Francis.
“It’s what makes us who we are. We aren’t just an indie pop band.”
And thank heavens for that. At a time when it’s becoming increasingly difficult to tell one crowd of shambling indie chancers from the next, Frankie The Heartstrings stand tall. Of course, some might argue that such a stance is deliberate, but when you grab an earful of such stirring tunes as Fragile, there’s no doubting the authenticity of their soul. Prepare to fall in love.
-myspace.com/ frankieatheheartstrings
