History
2005–2006: Origins and The Fratellis EP
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 Galaxy Scotland) Beatscene show hosted by Jim Gellatly. They were signed by Fallout Records.
They played their first 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.
2006–2007: Costello Music and mainstream success
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. 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.
The Fratellis perform in Scotland.
The Fratellis supported Kasabian in December 2006 on their UK tour before playing 10 dates by themselves in February and March 2007. The tour of the UK festival circuit, playing at Glastonbury and headlining at festivals such as NME's Rock 'n' Riot tour, OXEGEN 2007 and T in the Park 2007, amongst others. They also opened for The Police Reunion Tour in the summer of 2007 in some of the North America dates. The Fratellis also recorded some cover songs during the year including "All Along the Watchtower" for Radio 1's 40th Anniversary Double Album, Radio 1: Established 1967, and "Solid Gold Easy Action" for the soundtrack of the film Hot Fuzz, which also included the single "Baby Fratelli".
The band released their first live DVD, Edgy In Brixton, in the UK on 1 October 2007, which was recorded at the Brixton Academy in London. The DVD contains a locations included Nottingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham and London. Following the release of the album, the Fratellis embarked on a full live performance of the debut album Costello Music, B-sides from various singles and a new song called "Pretty Like a Girl". Extras on the DVD include the band being asked questions by members of the Fratellis' website, and on the deluxe edition, . It was released in the United States on 30 October 2007.
2007–2009: Here We Stand
The band's filmed on 18 June 2008 at the Fillmore, San Francisco; performances of "Milk and Money", "Flathead" and "Mistress Mabel" from Abbey Road Studios and the videos for second album, Here We Stand, was first mentioned in November 2007 on the Fratellis' official website, which stated that work had begun on the album in a rehearsal space in Glasgow. The band said that they were self-producing the album and had their own studio to record in. Recording finished on 13 January 2008.
On 22 February 2008, they played a highlights from the T in the Park 2007 festival small show for fans at Queen Margaret Union to debut new songs from the upcoming album. About eight new going towards the Teenage Cancer Trust. The third single was "A Heady Tale", released on 22 December. The Fratellis released a deluxe edition of Here We Stand internationally songs from their new album were played, including "Mistress Mabel", "Acid Jazz Singer", and "Look Out Sunshine!". This performance introduced two new touring members, a guitarist, Robin Peringer and a keyboard player, Will Foster. However, after the Teenage Cancer Trust show in 2008, Robin departed the tour for unknown reasons. Will Foster subsequently played both keyboard and guitar during live performances.
The album, was released on 9 June 2008 in the UK and 10 June 2008 in the United States. The band marked the US release of the album with sold-out shows in New York City, Boston, and Los Angeles. The first single from the album,"Mistress Mabel", was released on 26 May 2008. The next single, "Look Out Sunshine!", released on 18 August 2008 and with money on 8 December. The CD included a new song titled "Moriarty's Last Stand" and the accompanying DVD which features "The Year of the Thief" (a documentary of the band on the road in the US), a live show the singles "Mistress Mabel" and "Look Out Sunshine!".
During 2009, the band did a mini-tour of Australia and Japan during February and March. The Fratellis headlined the Island Records 50th anniversary show on 27 May 2009 where they debuted their new track to be included on the Island 50: 50 Years of Island Records which was Bob Marley's "Stir It Up". The band also headlined the Hop Farm Festival 2009 on 4 July, with a gig at the Middlesbrough Empire on 3 July to prepare for the upcoming headline slot.
2009–2012: 'Indefinite' hiatus and side projects
After the Hop Farm show in 2009, the band were going to take an extended break citing exhaustion and relationships within the band turning sour after a series of prolonged touring and working together. Jon went on to form a new band with singer/songwriter Lou Hickey called Codeine Velvet Club. He released an 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. It would eventually be released in 2019, in a re-recorded form after the fifth Fratellis album In Your Own Sweet Time.
Barry initially stated that he was starting his own musical project and would let Fratellis fans know about it via the Fratellis website. 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, 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.
2012–2014: We Need Medicine
The Fratellis played their first show since 2009 to raise money for the Eilidh Brown Memorial Fund on 15 June 2012, marking nearly 3 years since they last shared a stage together. They then performed at O2 ABC Glasgow on 26 September 2012 and announced a UK tour in April 2013. During the UK tour, 3 more songs were debuted live; "She's Not Gone Yet But She's Leaving", "Seven Nights Seven Days" and "Whiskey Saga". The band went on to perform dates in Oxford, Leicester and Sheffield with another date at Loopallu festival, forming a small September tour. During the tour, the band debuted 2 new tracks, "This Old Ghost Town" (previously played by and mainland Europe. With 2014, the band played festivals across the world, returning to the US, UK and Europe and also headed over to Japan before finishing the We Jon in a solo show) and "Rock n Roll Will Break Your Heart".
On 4 February 2013, the Fratellis finished recording their third album, which was to be called We Need Medicine with a release date of 7 October 2013. "Seven Nights Seven Days" was released as a single on 29 September. The album was recorded in Glasgow with Jon Fratelli and Stuart McCredie on production duties.
The band saw out 2013 with a highly successful tour of the US, UK Need Medicine album campaign with two shows in Russia in September 2014. The band released a brand new EP in September 2014 called The Soul Crush EP, which was released for free on their website.
2014–2016: Eyes Wide, Tongue Tied
During Christmas break 2013, the band started writing new material, and two of the songs debuted live in 2014. "Too Much Wine" was played on the early 2014 US tour, with "All the Live Long Day" (later to be known as "Impostors (Little By Little)") turning up later on. Upon releasing The Soul Crush EP in 2014, the band stated they would be heading to LA to record their fourth album, with Barry confirming on Twitter it was once again with Tony Hoffer (Beck, Air), producer-architect of both their debut album and of Jon's solo album Psycho Jukebox.
News stayed quiet until 1 June 2015, when the band announced their new album would be called Eyes Wide, Tongue Tied and would be released through Cooking Vinyl on 21 August 2015. The band revealed the first song from the album "Me and the Devil" through their website, and later announced the first single "Baby Don't You Lie To Me" on 29 June. Both tracks were made available as instant downloads with your pre-order of the album. The band shared a new video for "Baby Don't You Lie To Me!" on 24 July 2015.
In late 2016, the Fratellis launched a UK-wide tour to mark the 10-year anniversary of Costello Music, playing 16 shows through November and December.
2017–2019: In Your Own Sweet Time and Bright Night Flowers
In 2017, the band headlined posts since 30 April, the band confirmed on Instagram that they were in Los Angeles to record their fifth album with Tony Hoffer once again producing.
On 29 September 2017 the band announced their the Vicar's Picnic music festival 14–15 July, as well as the Lindisfarne Festival, which ran 31 August to 3 September.
On 8 May, after hinting through several fifth studio album, In Your Own Sweet Time which was released on 16 March 2018 and followed by with a UK concert tour in March 2018. The album was released on CD, LP, limited edition orange LP and cassette. They also toured the U.S. in late Spring 2018 and early Summer.
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 6 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.
Flathead
The Fratellis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And she made me talk dirty in a pink hotel
It doesn't mean she's got eyes for me
She might just want my bones, you see
And hey flathead, don't you get mean
She's the second best killer that I ever have seen
They don't come much more sick than you
I could go on if you want me to
And I told you once and you killed me twice
I saw you one time at the back of the club
Chewing on glass and a ticket stub
Said I heard you kicked the boy 'til he bled
Then you stood and said, "Oh my God", 'til she said
Ba-da-ba, ba-da, da, da, da
Ba-da-ba, ba-da, da, da, da
Ba-da-ba, ba-da, da, da, da
Ba-da-ba, ba-da, da, da, da
Ba-da-ba, ba-da, da, da, da
Ba-da-ba, ba-da, da, da, da
Ba-da-ba, ba-da, da, da, da
Ba-da-ba, ba-da, da, da, da
Well, everybody knows you're the one to call
When the girls get uglier on the back of the wall
Josephine says you gotta bleeding nose
Taking it with her wherever she goes
And hey flathead, don't check me in
Well, hers is a tonic and mine is a gin
They don't come much more slick than you
I'd drive your car if you ask me to
Said the boy's not right in the head
And you stood and got a kicking instead, 'til she said
Ba-da-ba, ba-da, da, da, da
Ba-da-ba, ba-da, da, da, da
Ba-da-ba, ba-da, da, da, da
Ba-da-ba, ba-da, da, da, da
Ba-da-ba, ba-da, da, da, da
Ba-da-ba, ba-da, da, da, da
Ba-da-ba, ba-da, da, da, da
Ba-da-ba, ba-da, da, da, da
Da, da-da-da-do
And she said the boy's not right in the head
And you stood and said, "Oh my God", 'til she said
Ba-da-ba, ba-da, da, da, da
Ba-da-ba, ba-da, da, da, da
Ba-da-ba, ba-da, da, da, da
Ba-da-ba, ba-da, da, da, da
Ba-da-ba, ba-da, da, da, da
Ba-da-ba, ba-da, da, da, da
Ba-da-ba, ba-da, da, da, da
Ba-da-ba, ba-da, da, da, da
The Fratellis’s “Flathead” is a song that leaves a lot of room for interpretation. The song features lyrics about a woman that the singer is attracted to, yet he is cautiously aware that she may be using him for something other than romance. He sings, “just because she feeds me well/and she made me talk dirty in a pink hotel/it doesn’t mean she’s got eyes for me/she might just want my bones, you see.” It’s unclear what exactly the singer means by “bones,” but it suggests that the woman is interested in him for a specific purpose rather than for love.
The chorus features a play on words with the phrase “hey flathead,” which is used to address someone who is foolish or slow-witted. However, the singer is using it as a nickname for the woman he’s singing about. He seems to be acknowledging that she is someone who may not be entirely trustworthy and capable of harming others. He sings, “she’s the second best killer that I ever have seen/they don't come much more sick than you/I could go on if you want me to.” Despite this danger, the singer admits that he’s attracted to her, saying “it's just so wrong, so very nice.”
The song also touches on themes of violence and abuse as the singer references two instances where someone is physically hurt. The lyrics describe a person getting kicked until they bleed and another chewing on glass and a ticket stub. It’s unclear if the woman the singer is singing about is responsible for this violence or if she simply witnessed it. Overall, “Flathead” is a complicated song that explores the darker side of attraction and relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, just because she feeds me well
The fact that she feeds me well does not necessarily mean she has feelings for me.
And she made me talk dirty in a pink hotel
She has made me do things I wouldn't ordinarily do.
It doesn't mean she's got eyes for me
Her actions do not necessarily mean she's interested in me.
She might just want my bones, you see
She could be using me for something she needs.
And hey flathead, don't you get mean
Don't get aggressive or confrontational, flathead.
She's the second best killer that I ever have seen
She is very dangerous, and not to be underestimated.
They don't come much more sick than you
You are a very twisted and demented person.
I could go on if you want me to
I could tell you more about how messed up you are if you really want me to.
It's just so wrong, so very nice
This situation is completely messed up, but it still feels good.
And I told you once and you killed me twice
I warned you about something, but you did it again, and it hurt me even more.
I saw you one time at the back of the club
I remember seeing you at the back of the club once.
Chewing on glass and a ticket stub
You were doing something really weird there.
Said I heard you kicked the boy 'til he bled
I heard that you hurt someone really badly.
Then you stood and said, "Oh my God", 'til she said
You acted surprised by what you had done until she corrected you.
Well, everybody knows you're the one to call
You are known as the go-to person in certain situations.
When the girls get uglier on the back of the wall
When things get tough for the girls in certain situations.
Josephine says you gotta bleeding nose
Josephine reports that you are injured.
Taking it with her wherever she goes
She is carrying your injury with her and not leaving it behind.
And hey flathead, don't check me in
Don't try to control me or put me in my place, flathead.
Well, hers is a tonic and mine is a gin
She has what I need, and I have what she needs.
They don't come much more slick than you
You are very smooth and manipulative.
I'd drive your car if you ask me to
I'm under your spell and will do whatever you ask of me.
Said the boy's not right in the head
People have reported that the boy is not mentally stable.
And you stood and got a kicking instead, 'til she said
You were punished instead of the boy you attacked until she intervened.
Da, da-da-da-do
N/A
And she said the boy's not right in the head
She agrees with what others have said about the boy's mental state.
And you stood and said, "Oh my God", 'til she said
You acted surprised until she corrected you.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: John Lawler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-ip9yu7lp1q
[Verse 1]
Well, just because she feeds me well
And she made me talk dirty in a pink hotel
It doesn't mean she's got eyes for me
She might just want my bones, you see
And hey flathead, don't you get mean
She's the second best killer that I ever have seen
They don't come much more sick than you
I could go on if you want me to
It's just so wrong, so very nice
And I told you once and you killed me twice
I saw you one time at the back of the club
Chewing on glass and a ticket stub
[Pre-Chorus]
I heard they kicked the boy 'til he bled
Then stood and said "oh my god", 'til she said
[Chorus]
Ba-da dop, da, da, da, da, da
[Verse 2]
Well, everybody knows you're the one to call
When the girls get ugly at the back of the wall
Josephine says you're a bleeding nose
So taking it with her wherever she goes
Hey flathead, don't check me in
Well hers is a tonic and mine is a gin
They don't come much more slick that you
I'd drive your car if you ask me to
[Pre-Chorus]
Said the boy's not right in the head
So he stood and got a kicking instead, 'til she said
[Pre-Chorus]
And she said the boy's not right in the head
And you stood and said "oh my god", 'til she said
@elisehopkins9260
Just because she feeds me well
and she made me talk dirty in a pink hotel
doesn't mean she's got eyes for me
she might just want my bones you see
hey flathead don't you get mean
she's the second best killer that I have ever seen
they don't come much more sick than you
I could go on if you want me to
it's just so wrong so very nice I told you
once and you killed me twice
I saw you one time at the back of the
club chewing on glass and a ticket stub
I heard they kicked the boy till he bled
then stood and said oh my god till she said
bada bap bada da...
everybody knows you're the one to call
when the girls get ugly at the back of the wall
Josephine says you got a bleeding nose
so taking it with her wherever she goes
hey flathead don't check me in
well hers is a tonic and mine is a gin
they don't come much more slick
than you I'd drive your car if you ask me to
said the boy's not right in the head
so he stood and got a kicking instead till she said
bada bap bada da...
And she said the boy's not right in the head
And you stood and said oh my god till she said
bada bap bada da...
@jross2696
do ya all a favor
blue dress- Natalie Oxley
white dress- Charlotte McKenna
red dress- Casey Batchelor
@beinyourguard
jross2696 you the real mvp
@VinceTheLovableStoner
You are the BOSS!
@luiz3463
Our fucking savior
@albertsuchan9366
jross2696 I would be even more grateful for the girls in chelsea dagger lol.
@nicolasuter4317
+jross2696 you sir are a hero!
@englandlad831
The level of pure SNAP they put into this one song is insane. It’s still great in 2023 🔥🔥
@roseanneroseannadanna9651
For real! I think this song could've snapped in the 60's, 70's, 80''s, 90's
@wt8012
This was one of the first songs I ever heard from The Fratellis along with "For The Girl". I bought the album immediately afterwards and remains my favourite from the band to this day. Love this song's catchy chorus, too!
@AylerProductions
The iPhone commercial for me lol ❤