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.
The Pimp
The Fratellis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
La la la la la la lo,
La la la la la la lo,
La la la la la la lo,
One time, two time,
Givin' me a slow one,
Filthy lovers hands,
Three time, four time,
Throw me on a big bed,
Open up yer mouth,
And put a bullet in yer dumb head
(Oh)
Blip blip she shifts,
Smells of a hot sun,
I know she can dance,
But she's a really fat one,
Well I must admit I was a little scared,
When she got undressed,
And it was bang bang bang,
Oh she wasn't impressed
But it's all,
Take her gentle,
It's all,
Sentimental,
It's all,
Over before it begins,
And it's all,
Worse than dying,
It's all,
Terrifing,
It's all,
Little pistols n' pimps
Lying on this big girls floor,
Tell me something,
Tell me more,
Pistols on her swollen bed,
Pointing at my aching head
There were a stickers in the windows,
And a humming in my poor head,
She was smoking in the corner,
And said I hope ya gonna feel dead
Well I must admit I was a little scared,
When she got undressed,
And it was bang bang bang,
But she wasn't impressed
Well it's all,
Take her gentle,
It's all,
Fuckin' mental,
It's all,
Over before it begins,
And it's all,
Worse than dying,
It's all,
Terrifing,
It's all,
Little pistols n' pimps
Lying on this big girls floor,
Tell me something,
Tell me more,
Pistols on her swollen bed,
Pointing at my aching head
Chase me half way down the street,
Shootin' at my aching feet,
Got no I.D,
Got no clothes,
Am I dead
Christ only knows
The Fratellis's song The Pimp is a dark and gritty tale of a sexual encounter gone wrong. The lyrics paint a picture of a seedy and dangerous underworld, where the singer is caught up in a twisted game of power and violence. The repeated "la la la la la la lo" sounds at the beginning of each verse create a sense of foreboding and chaos, as if the singer is lost in a nightmarish world beyond his control.
The first verse describes a scene of sexual violence, as the singer is coerced into a sexual encounter by a "filthy lover" with a gun. The second verse features more violence and the threat of death, as the singer is thrown onto a bed and threatened with a gun to his head. The chorus offers little comfort, describing the encounter as bleak and terrifying.
The third verse offers a glimpse of the singer's fear and anxiety as he faces the obese and intimidating woman. Despite his initial reluctance, he is coerced into sex, only to be met with disappointment and further violence. The repetition of "It's all" in the chorus reinforces the singer's sense of despair and hopelessness, as he is left with nothing but regret and trauma.
Overall, The Pimp is a powerful and disturbing look at the darker aspects of human sexuality and power dynamics. The lyrics are haunting and the imagery is potent, creating a sense of unease and tension that stays with the listener long after the song has ended.
Line by Line Meaning
La la la la la la lo,
Introduction to the song, no specific meaning
One time, two time, Givin' me a slow one, Filthy lovers hands, At the trigger of a handgun
Talking about a sexual encounter involving guns and an uninterested lover
Three time, four time, Throw me on a big bed, Open up yer mouth, And put a bullet in yer dumb head
Continuing with the uninterested lover theme, with a bit more violence
(Oh)
Background vocalization, no specific meaning
Blip blip she shifts, Smells of a hot sun, I know she can dance, But she's a really fat one, Well I must admit I was a little scared, When she got undressed, And it was bang bang bang, Oh she wasn't impressed
Describing the physical appearance of a sexual partner and expressing fear during the encounter
But it's all, Take her gentle, It's all, Sentimental, It's all, Over before it begins,
Reflecting on the brief, uneventful encounter and the mixed emotions surrounding it
And it's all, Worse than dying, It's all, Terrifing, It's all, Little pistols n' pimps
The encounter was unpleasant and scary, with a violent undertone
Lying on this big girls floor, Tell me something, Tell me more, Pistols on her swollen bed, Pointing at my aching head
Setting the scene and reiterating the presence of guns during the encounter
There were a stickers in the windows, And a humming in my poor head, She was smoking in the corner, And said I hope ya gonna feel dead
Providing additional details about the setting and dialogue
Well it's all, Take her gentle, It's all, Fuckin' mental, It's all, Over before it begins,
Reiterating the brevity and unpleasantness of the encounter
And it's all, Worse than dying, It's all, Terrifing, It's all, Little pistols n' pimps
Closing out the song with the same sentiment as before
Lying on this big girls floor, Tell me something, Tell me more, Pistols on her swollen bed, Pointing at my aching head
Repeating the final scene of the encounter
Chase me half way down the street, Shootin' at my aching feet, Got no I.D, Got no clothes, Am I dead Christ only knows
Describing the aftermath of the encounter and the main character's physical and emotional state
Contributed by Sophie M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lila Smith
amazing song...i've had it on record forever and i've been waiting for someone to put it up on here
Lila Smith
this song is AMAZING
kimberly t
my favorite band<33
sockpuff
I am glad the message of the fratellis music got thought to you.
TheAleK9
Nothing will ever beat The Fratellis, the greatest band ever, Mon The Fratellis
Jon Reynolds
...It's like you didn't even consider Westlife.
Maggie Webb
To all the people below who want the song sent to them: Just use a Youtube to mp3 converter. Google it. Simple, no downloaded programs required, and it transfers straight to your iTunes.
Naomi Brash
Yay!:L Amazing!:) MonTheFratellis x
Brandon
Can someone send me this song PLEASE???
oriolesfan10
Yes Nice Job