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Prior to forming Franz Ferdinand singer/guitarist Alex Kapranos played in the groups The Kareila and Yummy Fur, the latter alongside friend and percussionist Paul Thompson. Kapranos later taught his friend Bob Hardy how to play bass, and met co-guitarist Nick McCarthy soon afterwards, completing the band's lineup. Having initially practiced in McCarthy’s house, Franz Ferdinand soon found an abandoned warehouse, affectionately named the Chateau, where they could hone their skills. In early 2002 the band recorded a host of material that generated a significant amount of buzz, ultimately resulting in Franz Ferdinand signing with Domino Records in 2003.
The band’s debut label release “Darts of the Pleasure EP” was released in 2003, followed in early 2004 by the hit single “Take Me Out”. The single reached No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 66 on the Billboard Hot 100, introducing the band to an international audience. Franz Ferdinand’s self-titled debut album was released in February 2004 to critical acclaim and comparisons to The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, the Sex Pistols, and Blur. The album subsequently won the 2004 Mercury Music Prize, an Ivor Novello Award, and two BRIT Awards in 2005.
Franz Ferdinand’s sophomore album “You Could Have It So Much Better” was issued in October 2005 once again on Domino Records. The record proved popular again among critics and fans, with the album topping the UK Albums Chart, aided by the singles “Do You Want To”, “Walk Away”, “The Fallen / L.Wells”, and “Eleanor Put Your Boots On”. Choosing to team up with pop producer Dan Carey, Franz Ferdinand’s third album took the group in a more dance/pop direction. Released in early 2009, “Tonight” was led by the single “Ulysees”, and subsequently “No You Girls” and “Can’t Stop Feeling”. Following appearances at Glastonbury Festival, Coachella Festival and on Green Day’s 2009 tour, the band released the dub compilation album “Blood” in June 2009.
“Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action” appeared in 2013, charting at No. 6 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 24 on the Billboard 200. Recorded in Black Pudding Studio in Glasgow, Scotland, the album features producers Alexis Taylor, Joe Goddard, and Todd Terje. The album, like its predecessors found favour among critics and spawned the singles “Right Action”, “Love Illumination”, and “Evil Eye”.
Although the genre of post-punk isn't new, Franz Ferdinand was at the forefront of its revival during the mid-2000s in the United Kingdom.
Franz Ferdinand has a certain sound that anyone can pick up as soon as you hear one of their songs. Although their realm of music is saturated with artists all doing the same thing, you can always tell a Franz Ferdinand song as soon as you hear the first few notes, even before singer Alex Kapranos begins to sing.
This is evident in concert as well. In an outdoor festival in the daytime, they introduce themselves and immediately begin to play. As soon as the first two or three notes are played of a certain song, like "Take Me Out," the crowd begins to go crazy and starts cheering and jumping as the band gets past the song's introduction. Aside from the getting the audience pumped up with their music, Franz Ferdinand also has a classy stage presence.
All the members dress in dark colors, with Alex Kapranos wearing a button-down shirt. Behind them, a large screen projects images relating to the band. There isn't really much else going on visually, except maybe some lights for when it begins to get dark. The stage itself is huge, and is surrounded by crowds, of which some try and get close to band as they play. As Franz Ferdinand has become more popular, the crowds have become bigger.
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