The Frank and Walters had very humble beginnings in Cork City in 1889. However, in a relatively short time frame, they were able to capture the imagination of the audience and perform in multiple countries all over the world.
The post below covers their journey from being an unknown band to having thousands of loyal fans worldwide.
Rise to prominence:
Even though the band was formed in 1989, within a few years, it rose to popularity. In a sense, the 1990s can be termed the decade of this band when it comes to the alternative pop genre.
During the initial few days, the cult following helped them get a label deal from Setanta Records in Dublin. After getting the record deal, the band relocated to London and started working on EP1 and EP2. EP2 was the more popular one of the two. Dave Couse from A House produced EP2, which even included a small hit named Fashion Crisis Hits New York. During the subsequent years, both these were compiled into standalone CDs.
By now, finding producers was no big deal for the band. The breakthrough, however, happened in the form of the third single, “After All”. Ian Broudie produced this single from lightning seeds. This single rose the band to the TOP 20 list in the UK. The peak rank the band attained was number 11.
Return to Cork
After releasing their debut album Trains, Boats, and Planes in 1993, the band returned to their home city. However, their increasing popularity gave them an opportunity to perform in clubs in the US. However, after this year, they took a break to only return in 1999 with Beauty Becomes More Than Life. It was in this album that they experimented with loops and samples.
Next was the release of Glass in 2000, followed by a best-of collection of the band. The band even created their label, which went by the name of FIFA Records. Under this label, they released numerous singles and even albums of other bands like Hybrasil and Fight Like Apes. They even released a 2 CD package of their own which went by the name of Souvenirs. Other releases of the band included albums like A Renewed Interest In Happiness, Live at the Spiegeltent. In the year 2007, a biographer even released a biography of the band.
During the stunning career of the band, there were times a few band members left, but since exceptional musicians replaced them, the music quality was maintained, and that led to the success of the band.
All in all, The Frank and Walters was a band that always pushed the boundaries and never rested on its past laurels.
