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.
Halloween Blues
The Fratellis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm gonna make you wish that you'd never been born
Now you wish you'd never met me
I can be the joker that you couldn't shake off
And I'm gonna make you need me
I'm gonna be the drink that you couldn't put down
I swear it won't be easy
'Cause when you got the Halloween blues, there's never a let down
Well I'm gonna make some money
I'm gonna buy you everything you ever did want
And it's bound to ruin ya, honey
But you shouldn't steal what you never could hoard
And I'm gonna be the fastest
I'm gonna be so quick that you're never quite sure
If you're tough enough to last this
'Cause when you got the Halloween blues, there's a guaranteed cure
Let 'em all, let 'em all, let 'em all, let 'em all
Let 'em all shiver and let them all shake
Get 'em all, get 'em all, get 'em all, get 'em
Get them hysterical, keep them awake
Well I'm gonna be imperious
I'm gonna be the next Harry Belafonte
You might as well be serious
If you've got the answers, you might as well say
There'll be no one who can thrill me
There's not a soul alive's got a half of my brains
But they'll try their best to kill me
'Cause when you got the Halloween blues, it's best to complain
Let 'em all, let 'em all, let 'em all, let 'em all
Let 'em all shiver and let them all shake
Get 'em all, get 'em all, get 'em all, get 'em
Get them hysterical, keep them awake
Let 'em all, let 'em all, let 'em all, let 'em all
Let them all shiver and let them all shake
Get 'em all, get 'em all, get 'em all, get 'em all,
Get 'em all, get 'em all, get 'em all, got 'em all
Let 'em all shiver and them all shake
Get 'em all, get 'em all, get 'em all, get 'em
Get them hysterical, keep them awake
The Fratellis's song Halloween Blues is about the power play in a relationship. The lyrics suggest that the singer wants to overpower and control their significant other. They want to be the joker that their partner couldn't shake off, the drink that they couldn't put down, and the one who makes them need him. The singer believes that money can buy them anything, and he will buy his partner everything she wants, even if it ruins her. The song suggests that Halloween Blues is the name of a condition that takes over a person's mind, and there is never a cure, but the singer believes he has found it. He wants to create hysteria and keep his partner awake. The song's tone is menacing and has a haunting melody that fits the Halloween theme.
The lyrics are cryptic, but The Fratellis are known for writing enigmatic songs. Halloween Blues has been interpreted to be about the singer's own struggle with a past addiction or about the music industry's control over artists. The song is unique in that it has an upbeat tempo that doesn't quite match the dark lyrics, giving it a surreal quality. The Fratellis have also said that the song is open to interpretation and that they like when fans take away their meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I'm gonna make you love me
I am determined to win your affection
I'm gonna make you wish that you'd never been born
I am going to be a significant event that will change your life forever
Now you wish you'd never met me
You regret ever knowing me because I am causing you trouble and anxiety
I can be the joker that you couldn't shake off
I am going to stick around and keep you on your toes like a prankster
And I'm gonna make you need me
You will become emotionally dependent on me
I'm gonna be the drink that you couldn't put down
I will be intoxicating and addictive in your life
I swear it won't be easy
My presence will cause challenges in your life
'Cause when you got the Halloween blues, there's never a let down
The Halloween blues is an unsolvable problem that creates a lasting sense of unease
Well I'm gonna make some money
I am going to amass wealth and use it to tempt and control you
I'm gonna buy you everything you ever did want
Material possessions and gratification will be used to manipulate you
And it's bound to ruin ya, honey
The desire for material wealth leads to ruin and loss in the end
But you shouldn't steal what you never could hoard
You should not take what you cannot hold onto or achieve permanently
And I'm gonna be the fastest
I am going to be quick-witted and thrive on momentum
I'm gonna be so quick that you're never quite sure
My pace will be unpredictable and keep you constantly off-balance
If you're tough enough to last this
If you are strong enough to withstand my momentum and unpredictability
'Cause when you got the Halloween blues, there's a guaranteed cure
The Halloween blues is a problem that will eventually be resolved
Let 'em all, let 'em all, let 'em all, let 'em all
Ignore all of them
Let 'em all shiver and let them all shake
Let them be afraid, let them feel the fear
Get 'em all, get 'em all, get 'em all, get 'em
Compel them all to react or participate in the chaos
Get them hysterical, keep them awake
Excite and keep them alert, on edge
Well I'm gonna be imperious
I will be dominant and commanding
I'm gonna be the next Harry Belafonte
I am going to be like a famous, influential artist
You might as well be serious
You should take me seriously and not underestimate me
If you've got the answers, you might as well say
If you have the solutions or responses, speak up and say it
There'll be no one who can thrill me
No one can outdo or impress me
There's not a soul alive's got a half of my brains
I am extremely intelligent and unmatched in my abilities
But they'll try their best to kill me
Others will attempt to bring me down or destroy me
'Cause when you got the Halloween blues, it's best to complain
When faced with an unsolvable problem, it's best to voice your dissatisfaction and seek support
Got 'em all
Successfully dealt with all of them
Let 'em all shiver and them all shake
Induce fear and anxiety in all of them
Get 'em all, get 'em all, get 'em all, get 'em all,
Compel all of them to react or participate in the chaos
Get 'em all, get 'em all, get 'em all, got 'em all
Successfully dealt with and compelled all of them
Get 'em all, get 'em all, get 'em all, get 'em
Compel them all to react or participate in the chaos
Get them hysterical, keep them awake
Excite and keep them alert, on edge
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: John Lawler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Timothy Kuring
I can't understand why the internet gremlins were hiding this album, and especially this song from me until now.
Major Tom can't shake his stone temple pilots in time to reach me, so I am calling my Russian Bride.
The first bride who steps merrily through my door will be my wife.
Tell Captain January we can still be friends.
As soon as it's warm, Shirley Temple will have to find me in the wilderness, but before that she will have to break all contracts and give up everything.
Tatyana is a queen.
She won't have to do all that because I've seen only good spirits in her.
And she is old enough to marry me now.
Tell Mckenna we can still be friends, but I'll be talking to her girls through Brittany, that perfect rant of a girl.
How's Maxim?
Bring him along if he's her brat.
Timothy Kuring
Isn't it a joy when you find love?
Why do I never see joy in women?
I don't see joy even when I offer love.
Fifty years is a long time to live in hell without seeing joy in the eyes of any woman.
My computer landscape has a picture of the only girl I've ever seen joyful and free and the only girl who could even say she liked me.
I detest and despise the hatred and game playing of fornicating women.
I look around and wonder how any of these women will be found in the kingdom of heaven. There is no love in them and they are unwilling to help a man who needs help. Without the light of joy, it is hilarious to see that they think they are beautiful and alluring. They present only hideous medusa faces and walk out full of themselves.
They have so much more of the pride of Satan than the love of God in them.
And they are too blind to know it.
At least Tatyana was excellent with her younger brother or son.
She seemed to have an excellent sense of humor.
And I loved the way she regarded that fool of a Shay who must be obeyed. A woman who will not squeek a pip before she sets her dogs on you.
She viewed herself as being in hell but she would not even accept a hand out.
Then she told slanderous lies about me stalking her while she stalked my Russian bride.
I didn't even cross the street to look for her, but she flew across the ocean to say:
"Da Da," the only words she could speak.
She never showed up to apologize either.
Women carry heavy chains of bad karma because they never apologize after running a burn on you.
I never could get them hysterical or keep them awake.
But it is hysterical to watch them rage because it is what they love to do more than they love men.
Go rant in the streets you loonybirds.
No man will want you.
Not From The Bottle
Such an underrated album
Rose
correctly rated
Robyn Ray
Still one of the best sax riffs I’ve ever heard
rábano colérico
The Fratellis are brilliant.
Can't stop Never Give up
I love this great music.
Valihir
A year or 2 ago this was First song of theirs i heard and its still my favorite song from my probably favorite band
realmusicnj
Great stuff!!!
Marlon Rando
These guys and The Struts are my favorite bands out now!
Rachel Rosenblum
Very appropriate for Halloween night! Thanks Fellas!
Mako
This is my jam tonight, on Halloween 2019