INTRODUCING A FOUR PIECE FORCE OF NATURE, THE FRANKLYS....
The Franklys are an all girl rock 'n' roll band hailing from Sweden, the UK and the US. Following on from the brilliant ‘Puppet’ last year, they are set to release 'Bad News' which has been described as "a thunderous piece of sabbathesque Rock’n’Roll" on April 27th, to pre-order the single, click HERE
We caught up with vocalist Jen Ahlkvist and chatted about music festival survival tips. her favourite bands and making a 'mean' taco, here's how we got on....
Please introduce the band and your music in one sentence....
Like a garage door kicked in the face!
You’re called The Franklys, how did you come about choosing this name?
Who knows. I guess we're quite frank. Most of the time. And 'Frankly Mr Shankly' is a great song!
You’ve been referred to as a Swedish/UK/US all girl quartet, how on earth did you all meet?
I suppose we were 4 people from 3 different parts of the world who moved to the same place and happened to want the same thing! Somehow we managed to find each other. Maybe it was fate?
Give us three words that best describe you as a band?
Passionate, fast & fun!
Sean Genockey produced ‘Bad News’, what did you learn from him?
We couldn't have asked for a better recording experience than with Sean. He's an amazingly talented and fun guy, and our time spent at Rockfield felt more like a holiday rather than work, purely because of his genuine and positive spirit.
Write a poem/quick song containing the words ‘Beehive’, ‘Kinky Boots’, ‘Pizza Hut’ and ‘iPad’
That will never happen.
In your opinion, what is the BEST album/record ever released?
EVER?! That's a very hard question to answer. I'd say one of my all time favourites is Led Zeppelin I. It's a classic and every song on that album is a hit!
What classic song would you have liked to have recorded and why?
I would have loved to be part of the writing and recording of 'Bohemian Rhapsody' by Queen. I'd love to know how that song came together in the first place and what the real story behind the music and the lyrics are considering how bizarre and chaotic the song is.
What was the first gig you ever went to? And the most recent?
The first gig I ever went to was probably watching my dad play a festival in Stockholm when I was about 9. The most recent one was French band 'Les Grys Grys' at the 229 for Le Beat Bespoke last weekend.
Who was the last person you called on your mobile phone?
Drummer gal and partner in crime: Nicole Pinto.
What are your top three tips to survive a music festival?
Earplugs, wet wipes and energy drink. If you forget either of them, you WILL be fucked!
What was the first guitar riff you heard that sent chills down your spine?
The intro riff for 'Crazy Train' by Ozzy Osbourne. That's when I demanded my dad to buy me my first electric guitar. I never bothered to learn the riff in the end though.
There are tons of great bands out there at the moment, name one that you would encourage our readers to go check out?
One of my favourite new bands at the moment are Temples. They're an amazing live band, I've seen them twice now and am seeing them again this summer. Their album is absolutely incredible and I can't wait for their next one!
The best unsigned band out there at the moment is definitely two-piece Australian blues-rock-phenomenon 'The Graveltones'. If you haven't seen them already, GO! Their live performance is immense.
(you can read our interview of The Graveltones when they played in Camden in August 2014 HERE - Steve MM)
I also saw a really good band from Spain called 'Fogbound' this weekend. Really really amazing 60's psychedelic rock.
Name three people (alive, dead or fictional) that you would like as dinner party guests?
Debbie Harry, because she is and always will be the coolest woman in the world and I bet she would bring some real interesting stories from the Blondie-times to the table.
John Lennon, because it's John Lennon.
Comedian Paul Foot, because he cracks me up like no one else.
What is your idea of hell?
X-factor.
Your debut UK show at The 100 Club last year was sold out, how did that make you feel?
Amazing of course!
What was the last book you read?
'In the Skin of a Lion.' It's set in the 1930's describing the harsh life of the immigrant workers in a postmodern capitalistic Canada. A highly recommended read!
Do you think we can ever live in a world where a chicken can cross the road without having its motives questioned?
No. I reckon people will always continue asking stupid questions.
What are your plans for 2015?
Loads and loads of touring. We are hitting Germany in May and after that our UK Summer Tour starts and does not end until August. Then France is on the cards for mid-August too.
Prior to embarking on their energy sapping days on the road, we thought it was only fair to ask Jen to run through our quickfire questions....
Coffee or Tea?
Coffee. I'm actually obsessed with it!
Coke or Pepsi?
Coke
Drum machine or the real deal?
Real as real can be.
Mac or PC?
Mac. If I could afford one.
Taco or Burger?
Taco. I make a cracking one!
Lemmy (Motorhead) or Ozzy (Black Sabbath)?
Oz!
CD or Vinyl?
Both
The Rolling Stones or The Beatles?
Beatles
Car or Motorbike?
Car
Camping or ‘Glamping’?
Camping. Love the mud.
Acoustic or electric?
Electric
Brad or George?
George
Shower or Bath?
Bath. With loads of bubbles!
Tattoos or Piercings?
Tats.
Robert de Niro or Al Pacino?
Al Pacino.
God or Google?
The Franklys are on tour from mid April in the UK, dates and venue information below;
April
18th Stag and Hounds , Bristol.
25th Amersham Arms, London.
The Franklys ‘Bad News EP’ Release Party. Presented by THIS FEELING. In association with XFM and Jack Daniels. To purchase tickets click HERE
May
03rd Stortford Music Festival Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, w/ The Undertones
June
06th The Watershed Wimbledon, London.
19th Cult Cafe Ipswich, Suffolk.
20th The Bassment Chelmsford, Essex.
21st The Owl Sanctuary Norwich, Norwich.
25th 60 Million Postcards Bournemouth, Dorset.
26th Tiki Bar Plymouth, Devon.
27th The Cavern Exeter, Devon.
July
11th Tannerfest Loddington, Northamptonshire
Admission: £15. tickets available at info@tannerfest.com.
25th Tramlines Festival Sheffield, Sheffield.
29th Bannerman’s Bar Edinburgh, Midlothian.
30th Nice n Sleazy Glasgow, Glasgow.
August
01st The Castle Hotel Manchester, Manchester.
September
02nd The Stillery Camden, London.
To find out more about The Franklys, please checkout their social media channels, I have been good to you and listed them all below, all you need to do is click on them and they shall appear!
Social Media
We'd like to thank Jen for taking the time to answer our questions, we hope to catch up with them in Plymouth or Exeter in June where we'll be doing a live review and also grabbing some killer photos of them doing what they do best....
Interview by Steve Muscutt