The Fratellis

The Fratellis are a band that’s hard to mistake for any other. They’re a very lively lot, playing that distinctive British indie rock that’s instantly recognisable from the very first few seconds. Their songs ‘Chelsea Dagger’ and ‘Flathead’ are regularly featured in films, adverts and at stadiums. In this article, we’ll tell you about the band members, the group’s appearances at popular festivals and the story of how they got together.

The History of The Fratellis

The history of The Fratellis can be divided into several stages, each of which is packed with events.

The band’s formation in Glasgow

The Fratellis formed in 2005 in Glasgow. The band’s name consists of the pseudonyms of its members, who adopted the ‘surname’ Fratelli (meaning ‘brothers’) rather than the real surname of any one of them. They came together to form a lively, edgy rock band without any unnecessary ‘pretentiousness’. Almost immediately, the band began performing in local clubs and quickly caught the attention of record labels.

Breakthrough with Costello Music

In 2006, their debut album Costello Music was released, propelling the band to stardom. The singles ‘Henrietta’ and, in particular, ‘Chelsea Dagger’ went viral long before the TikTok era – they’re played on the radio, featured in sports arenas and used in popular culture. The album immediately soared to the top of the UK Albums Chart, cementing the band’s status as one of the leading new names in British indie rock of the mid-2000s.

BRIT Award and recognition

In 2007, The Fratellis won the BRIT Award for Best British Breakthrough Act. This is one of Great Britain’s most prestigious music awards, which often recognises the most promising new bands. Thanks to this award, the band cemented their success on the British music scene and became a fully-fledged part of it. They were no longer seen as just newcomers from Glasgow.

The release of their second album and the hiatus that followed

In 2008, the band released the album ‘Here We Stand’. It proved to be more mature and less ‘hit-oriented’ than their debut album, and did not enjoy the same explosive success. The band went on tour, after which they decided to take a break from performing and by 2009 had virtually ceased all activity.

The comeback

The Fratellis returned in 2012. Without any fanfare, but with the same line-up and energy. The band released new albums:

1. ‘We Need Medicine’ (2013)
2. ‘Eyes Wide, Tongue Tied’ (2015)
3. ‘In Your Own Sweet Time’ (2018)
4. ‘Half Drunk Under a Full Moon’ (2021)

Although The Fratellis were unable to replicate the peak of their popularity, which came in 2006, the band nevertheless continues to thrive and build its audience. The band are a prime example of a group that didn’t fade into obscurity after a single hit. Whilst they are primarily associated with the song ‘Chelsea Dagger’, they have a substantial discography and the musicians frequently perform live.

Members of The Fratellis

The Fratellis consist of just three people, but behind each stage name lies a very real biography. The core of the band has remained unchanged since its formation in 2005. All three musicians adopted the shared surname ‘Fratelli’ as their stage name, and have continued to perform under it ever since.

Jon Fratelli

The artist’s real name is John Paul Lawler. He is the lead vocalist, guitarist and one of the songwriters for The Fratellis. The musician was born on 4 March 1979 in Glasgow, Scotland.

Jon Fratelli joined the band in 2005 as frontman: it was his vocals and delivery that were one of the reasons behind the success of early tracks such as ‘Chelsea Dagger’, which quickly took off on the radio and in stadiums. As well as The Fratellis, he has pursued solo projects and played in other bands during breaks from the group’s performances.

Within the band, Jon is most often responsible for the overall musical direction and vocal arrangements. His style is a blend of garage rock and more melodic indie.

Baz Fratelli

The musician’s real name is Barry Wallace. The Fratellis’ bass guitarist and backing vocalist was born on 23 April 1979. In the band, he provides the rhythmic foundation alongside Mince Fratelli on drums. His bass lines form the backbone of the band’s early albums.

Baz is one of those members who has periodically pursued side projects during the band’s hiatuses, but has always returned to the main line-up. He has been with the band since the very beginning in 2005 and has remained part of The Fratellis ever since, contributing to the recording of all their key albums.

Mince Fratelli

Mince Fratelli (real name Gordon McRory) is the drummer, backing vocalist and one of the most recognisable elements of the band’s live sound. He was born on 16 May 1983 in Glasgow, Scotland.

His playing is characterised by a tight, straightforward rock rhythm without frills, which sets the drive for most of The Fratellis’ tracks. It is Mince’s drumming that gives the band’s songs a ‘stadium’ feel, particularly the famous ‘Chelsea Dagger’.

As well as playing the drums, he occasionally provides backing vocals and plays additional instruments such as the banjo. Like the other members, he has been part of the core line-up since 2005 and remained with the band following their return to the stage in 2012.

The Fratellis: Concerts and Festivals

The Fratellis are one of those bands that don’t limit themselves to studio work, but are actively involved in live performances. The band regularly delight audiences with their live shows. The audience sing along enthusiastically with their favourites.

The Fratellis joined the festival scene right at the start of their career. In the mid-2000s, they could be seen at the Isle of Wight Festival, where they delivered a high-energy set featuring ‘Chelsea Dagger’, to which the crowd literally went wild. The band have also performed several times at the Glastonbury Festival, including on major stages such as the Pyramid Stage.

In Scotland, they played at the TRNSMT Festival – after all, this is their home turf, and they have a huge following in Glasgow. The Fratellis were also among the headliners at the Reading Festival.

Clubs and concert venues are a story in themselves. For example, the Brixton Academy in London has long been a regular venue for their live recordings and iconic shows. There, they’ve filmed live footage and put on memorable concerts.

When it comes to more ‘elite’ venues, one cannot overlook the Royal Albert Hall, which is usually reserved for either very self-assured artists or those who have long since proven they can hold a large audience’s attention without the clamour of a festival.

An interesting point relates to the band’s crossovers with Kasabian: these groups often find themselves on the same festival line-ups, sharing the stage at major British events.

Albums and popular songs

The Fratellis have had virtually no lacklustre releases. Practically every one of their albums has left its mark on their live sets.

Their debut album, Costello Music, released in 2006, became the band’s calling card. It featured their biggest hits: ‘Chelsea Dagger’, ‘Henrietta’ and ‘Whistle for the Choir’. These tracks still have a life of their own at stadiums and festivals, sometimes even independently of the band itself.

In 2008, the album Here We Stand was released. It turned out to be less ‘explosive’, but still bore the band’s recognisable signature sound.

Following a hiatus, We Need Medicine was released in 2013. The band returned to the stage with a heavier, rawer sound. This was followed by Eyes Wide, Tongue Tied in 2015 and In Your Own Sweet Time in 2018. These albums feature far more melody and less garage-rock chaos.

The band’s most recent album to date, Half Drunk Under a Full Moon, was released in 2021. It has a lighter, brighter sound, with an emphasis on live energy and a more ‘festive’ mood.

Among the band’s best-known songs are:

1. ‘Chelsea Dagge’.
2. ‘Whistle for the Choir’.
3. ‘Flathead’.
4. ‘Henrietta’.

The band’s live performances are centred around these tracks. Many years have passed since their release, but they remain popular to this day.

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