The Fratellis returned this year with a new album titled We Need Medicine. It’s their first album in 5 years, and since their indefinite hiatus that put the bands future in question.
I’ve been humming along their pub-rock tunes since Costello Music came out in 2006, so it excites me to tell you that I had a chance to ask frontman Jon Fratelli (born John Lawler) some interview questions. It was done over e-mail, so that’s why it may not have the flow/fluidity of an in person/phoner interview. This comes just a day ahead of their return to the U.S. tomorrow with their U.S. tour kickoff show at Webster hall.
With that said, check out my chat with Jon below, right after new album’s lead single “Seven Nights Seven Days.”
Will: It’s been a long time since we’ve heard from you guys, it’s good to see you back. You’ve all been busy with various other projects since your hiatus. Can you tell us a bit about what you’ve been up to over the past few years?
Jon Fratelli: I’ve made a couple of records and other’s found time to find wives and children, live always goes on.
W: What exactly brought you out of hiatus and what was it like recording a new album together again?
JF: It just felt like a good idea one day, very simple, why don’t we just go out and play some shows? The album came after, we needed to make something we could go out and play live, I think we achieved that.
W: Did you guys ever experience doubts that you would ever get the band back together, or has it been a plan all along to eventually reunite?
JF: I thought we were finished, it didn’t feel like a good idea at all for a long time, I’m glad I started to feel differently though.
W: The music industry has changed a lot over the years since your last album. How different does it feel to be a band releasing new music in today’s musical landscape? I’m sure it helps that you guys already have a dedicated fan-base but did you find it any more difficult or different to be a band in 2013?
JF: It’s a strange one, finding and keeping an audience is not an easy thing to do, I realize now we were very lucky but you still have to entertain them by making something that they want to hear, it’s hard to know what will be other than to just make what you feel is the right record and then play it live with complete conviction.
W: What can you tell us about your new album, We Need Medicine? (How were the recording sessions, how would you describe it, what influenced it, why that title?)
JF: We never spend an overly long time in the studio, that wouldn’t work for us. We spent maybe three weeks together making this record just trying to do what we do best, we’re a rock n roll band and have no pretensions to be anything other than that, it can’t be too thought out. The title is just poking fun at the absurdity of life.
W: How do you feel about your upcoming U.S. tour? Exited, nervous, curious? It’s been a while since you’ve played here.
JF: We’re delighted to be able to play anywhere! The US always held a certain romance for me with regards to music, I’ve always found that music fans there have long memories and let you be what you need to be without a whole lot of judgment.
W: As someone who has been trying to see you for years, I will finally be able to see you in New York. What can fans expect from these shows?
JF: If we’re not lying dead on stage by the end then we haven’t done our jobs! All we have to sell is blood, sweat, t-shirts and tears!
W: What new bands or albums have you guys been enjoying this year?
JF: I’m awful at answering this question as I buy so few records now, Dylan’s last album was the last record I bought, might have been a year ago which tells it’s own tale…
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