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.
Getting Surreal
The Fratellis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fatten up the pig and baby, let's pretend
That I can see the joke at the beginning or the end
Let me know the secret, honey, then I'll be your best friend
Alakazam, kalakazoo, salaam
Meet in the jungle where they never give a damn
If your clothes don't fit or if your marriage is a sham
If you got to make it baby, make it real
Get up off your knees and tell me how you feel
Nothin' untrue can ever be revealed
Cover my eyes, this is gettin' surreal
Well written in the stars is a great big lie
That you never get to see until the minute that you die
By the time you get to heaven you're a whole 'nother guy
It's maybe just as well that you never had a bird eye
Little pig, little pig, lock your door
Take the gun from the wall and even up the score
I don't even know who the sun shines for
And I don't believe what I believe anymore
If you got to make it baby, make it real
Get up off your knees and tell me how you feel
Nothin' untrue can ever be revealed
Cover my eyes, this is gettin' surreal
Hollywood death smile flash me a grin
Laughin' gas don't cut it when you're rotten within
Nothin' untrue can ever be revealed
Cover my eyes, this is gettin' surreal
...
Well it's hotdog logic in a grapefruit time
Flutter your eyelids, and honey you'll be fine
Throw me your sins and I'll keep 'em with mine
You got a headful of stone and that's something divine
Get a little headrush, swallow a fly
Cut off your memories and hang them out to dry
It was a beautiful noise but now it's tumbling by
Well I was never here, that was never you or I
If you got to make it baby, make it real
Get up off your knees and tell me how you feel
Nothin' untrue can ever be revealed
Cover my eyes, this is gettin' surreal
Hollywood dance might flash me a grin
Laughin' gas don't cut it when you're rotten within
Nothin' untrue can ever be revealed
Cover my eyes, this is gettin' surreal
The Fratellis' song "Getting Surreal" starts off with the line "Well everybody knows when, ah, tell me again," suggesting a sense of confusion or a lack of clarity. The next line "Fatten up the pig and baby, let's pretend" evokes a sense of dishonesty or pretending, as if the world around the singer is fake or illusory. The following line "That I can see the joke at the beginning or the end" points to the idea that everything is a joke or a game, and highlights the singer's ability to see through the illusions. The final line in the first stanza, "Let me know the secret, honey, then I'll be your best friend," offers a sense of desperation to understand the truth.
The chorus repeats the phrase "if you got to make it baby, make it real," echoing a desire for authenticity and honesty in a world that seems to be full of illusions. The line "Nothin' untrue can ever be revealed" works both to highlight the lack of truth in the world around the singer and to suggest that the only way to find truth or authenticity is to be true to oneself. The line "Cover my eyes, this is gettin' surreal" emphasizes the sense of confusion and disorientation felt by the singer.
The following stanzas continue this theme of illusion and confusion, with lines like "Well written in the stars is a great big lie" and "It was a beautiful noise but now it's tumbling by." The final stanza offers a sense of release or escape, with lines like "You got a headful of stone and that's something divine" and "I was never here, that was never you or I," suggesting a desire to break free from the illusions and see the world as it truly is.
Line by Line Meaning
Well everybody knows when, ah, tell me again
Remind me once more when everyone is aware
Fatten up the pig and baby, let's pretend
Indulge and pretend in blissful ignorance
That I can see the joke at the beginning or the end
The punchline is clear from start to finish
Let me know the secret, honey, then I'll be your best friend
If you share your secret, our bond will strengthen
Alakazam, kalakazoo, salaam
Using nonsensical words to escape reality
Meet in the jungle where they never give a damn
Go to a place of chaos, where nobody cares
If your clothes don't fit or if your marriage is a sham
Appearance and relationships don't matter here
They never weigh a woman by the kilo or the gram
Physical standards are irrelevant in this place
If you got to make it baby, make it real
If you need to do something, do it authentically
Get up off your knees and tell me how you feel
Don't be submissive, express yourself honestly
Nothin' untrue can ever be revealed
Only truth will be acknowledged here
Cover my eyes, this is gettin' surreal
The situation is becoming too strange to believe
Well written in the stars is a great big lie
Fate is a falsehood predetermined by none
That you never get to see until the minute that you die
Your destiny will remain unknown until you pass
By the time you get to heaven you're a whole 'nother guy
Afterlife transforms you into someone new
It's maybe just as well that you never had a bird eye
It's better to be unaware and enjoy life
Little pig, little pig, lock your door
Protect yourself from the dangers outside
Take the gun from the wall and even up the score
Defend yourself and fight back against oppressors
I don't even know who the sun shines for
The purpose of life remains a mystery
And I don't believe what I believe anymore
Doubt has shattered once steadfast beliefs
Hollywood death smile flash me a grin
Even death disguises itself with glamour
Laughin' gas don't cut it when you're rotten within
Temporary pleasure can't mask inner decay
Well it's hotdog logic in a grapefruit time
Absurdity in the face of an incomprehensible era
Flutter your eyelids, and honey you'll be fine
Find solace in illusions and self-deception
Throw me your sins and I'll keep 'em with mine
Confess your dark secrets to me and I'll keep them
You got a headful of stone and that's something divine
A stubborn, unyielding nature is almost holy
Get a little headrush, swallow a fly
Do something reckless to feel alive
Cut off your memories and hang them out to dry
Forget the past and move on
It was a beautiful noise but now it's tumbling by
Once harmonious sounds now waver and falter
Well I was never here, that was never you or I
Existence and identity are fluid concepts
Hollywood dance might flash me a grin
Even entertainment mocks death and decay
Writer(s): John Paul Lawler, Anthony Hoffer
Contributed by Jordan S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.