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The Fratellis

The Fratellis are a Scottish rock band from Glasgow, formed in 2005. The band consists of three unrelated members, who perform under pseudonyms: lead vocalist and guitarist Jon Fratelli, bassist Barry Fratelli, and drummer Mince Fratelli. Their singles "Chelsea Dagger" and "Whistle for the Choir" were both top ten hits in the UK charts.

This article is about the band. For the fictional criminals, see The Goonies.

The Fratellis

Glasgow, Scotland

  • 2005–2009
  • 2012–present

History[edit]

2005–2006: The Fratellis EP and Costello Music[edit]

The band's name came from the criminal family in The Goonies and received their first radio playing in 2005, on central Scotland's Beat 106 (later XFM Scotland, now Capital Scotland) Beatscene show hosted by Jim Gellatly. They were signed by Fallout Records after less than 10 shows. The band formed after the band members placed adverts in record stores around Glasgow, originally forming as a four-piece with Mince on lead guitar and a drummer called Chris who was soon fired.


They played their first "proper" show on 4 March 2005 in the O'Henry's bar in Glasgow across the road from the Horseshoe bar. The Fratellis EP was released on 3 April 2006, featuring the tracks "Stacie Anne" and "The Gutterati?". "Creepin' Up the Backstairs" was never a single released by the band, even though a video was made for it. The first single released by the band was "Henrietta", which was released on 12 June 2006 and charted at number 19 on the UK Charts.


Costello Music was the debut album for the Fratellis and was released on 11 September 2006. It charted at number two in the UK album charts for three weeks.[1] The success of the album led to the Fratellis winning the Brit Award for British Breakthrough Act in 2007, an award that was voted for by BBC Radio One listeners.[2]

Side projects[edit]

During the band downtime, Jon went on to form a new band with singer/songwriter Lou Hickey called Codeine Velvet Club. He released a self-titled album with the band in December 2009 and toured during late 2009 and early 2010. The band came to a finish and he decided to become a solo artist. He released his debut solo album, Psycho Jukebox in 2010 and intended to release a second, titled Bright Night Flowers in 2012 but this was shelved due to the Fratellis reuniting.


Barry initially stated that he was starting his own musical project and would let Fratellis fans know about it via the Fratellis website.[24] He didn't let fans know his musical ventures until November 2011, where he revealed he had joined Birmingham band the Twang, who he played with until August 2012 when he rejoined the Fratellis. He is also a regular on the DJ circuit, and still DJs now when he can.


Mince initially joined a heavy metal band called Throne o' Diablo,[25][26] before leaving the band for unknown reasons. He would go on to join Jon's solo band as a second drummer, backing vocalist and occasional guitarist during live shows for his Psycho Jukebox tour.


After the recording of In Your Own Sweet Time, Jon had quietly re-recorded his shelved 2012 solo album Bright Night Flowers and after the main bulk of touring was finished for In Your Own Sweet Time, Jon announced his solo album would be released in February 2019, supported with two shows in London and Glasgow. His first solo shows in six years featured nearly the entirety of Bright Night Flowers with only one song from his previous solo album showing up along with Fratellis' favourites "Whistle for the Choir" and "Laughing Gas" in rearranged forms and a series of covers.

(John Lawler) – lead vocals, guitar, piano, and keyboards

Jon Fratelli

Barry Fratelli (Barry Wallace) – bass guitar and backing vocals

Mince Fratelli (Gordon McRory) – drums, backing vocals, and banjo

(2006)

Costello Music

(2008)

Here We Stand

(2013)

We Need Medicine

(2015)

Eyes Wide, Tongue Tied

(2018)

In Your Own Sweet Time

(2021)

Half Drunk Under a Full Moon

Official website