LW Mag LW Magazine
Their single SOS has been on heavy rotation in the past few months on MK and the like. Most recently, the band industry people and fans alike are very excited about – Frankie Fire – released their highly anticipated debut full length album ‘Take It In’. Recorded with Grammy award winning producer Daryl Torr in Johannesburg and Mastered in Seattle by Troy Glessner (mastered for the likes of Death Cab for Cutie), the album reveals something none other than world class. We chat to the band (whose members include Jacaranda DJ Francois Du Toit) about their album and their journey into the SA rock music scene thus far…
Band: Frankie Fire
Members: Francois Du Toit,Francois Meyer,Heinrich Pelser,Kyle Mitas,Fred Helliwell
Label: Electromode
Genre: Rock/pop/alternative
Sounds like: Awesome
Years performing: 2
Tell us a little about the making of your debut album ‘Take it in’.
We recorded the album at Open Room Studios in Greenside with Darryl Torr. We had written about 30 songs that we recorded demos for and ended up choosing 11 for the album. It was an awesome experience recording in such a cool studio with Darryl at the helm pushing and challenging us not only with the physical recording but also with different sounds and ideas.
What can fans expect from the album?
There are harder and softer songs. Songs about lust, love and every feeling in between. Lots of catchy choruses and quite a few piano, sax and guitar solos. Interesting sounds and ideas.
What do you hope fans say about the album?
We don’t really care what people say as long as they can sing along to a few songs.
How did Troy come to master your album in Seattle?
He has worked with a whole bunch of bands that we really like so we contacted him and asked nicely if he would master ours. Against our expectation he said yes! The rest was easy.
Who or what is Frankie Fire?
Frankie Fire is the 5 of us having fun. We are a rock band.
What have been some of your more memorable gigs to date (we wanna hear details about the best and the worst).
Playing OppiKoppi last year was an amazing experience. To be part of one of the biggest festivals in this country is in itself a privilege but when you walk out in front of thousands of people and strike that first chord and you hear the PA booming it really is something else.
We’ve had lots of kak shows. We don’t mind how many people are there but sometimes everything just goes wrong on stage and it’s a big struggle. It’s disappointing walking off stage and knowing you could’ve done a better show.
The best band you’ve toured/played with thus far?
Too many to mention. We’re all big Van Coke Kartel fans so it’s always fun sharing a stage with them. Heuwels and the Tuindwergies are really good. Crash Car Burn. It’s great to share a stage with any band that has awesome musicians.
Francois, you’re best known for your day time slot on Jacaranda – where do you find the time to be a lead vocalist in a band and a radio DJ? Do you ever sleep?
It’s actually quite easy. Radio DJs only work 3 hours a day. I can hear all of them cursing me now.
What is the band’s greatest ambition?
To write and record 5 great albums. To make good music.
Which festival are you most looking forward to this year (to play and party at?)
I’m actually writing this right next to the Innibos MK stage in Nelspruit and we’re really excited for tonight’s show.
At the end of this year, you want to be able to look back and say…?
At the end of the year we just wanna look back and say we played more gigs than we can remember to as many people as possible.
