The Franchise (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Founder | Patrick Nolan, David Barak |
| Defunct | 2008 |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. , United States |
| Products | Music albums |
The Franchise was a rock ensemble based in Washington, D.C., recognized for their specialization in geek rock that incorporated subjects such as pet surveillance gadgets, comic book culture, and Middle Eastern culinary themes. Their musical inspirations spanned college rock, alternative genres, and New Wave influences from groups like Talking Heads, R.E.M., They Might Be Giants, U2, and The Cure.
Patrick Nolan and David Barak, the band's founders, brought diverse musical backgrounds: Nolan had experience as a drummer with the jazz group Kurds and Whey (1991–1993) and released a solo project titled Gone Astray in 2003; Barak played guitar in The Sunmasons (1989–1992) and was a vocalist in the a cappella ensemble Makela. Vocal contributions also came from Noah Kaye and Jackson Maier, both affiliated with the Spizzwinks(?).
Established in 2004, the original members comprised Nolan, Barak, keyboardist Jerry Marzouk, and bassist Anna London.
Demolition
Their first album, Demolition, was produced at Hit & Run Studios located in Gaithersburg, Maryland. It included three original compositions—Aliyah L'Regel, Post-Apocalyptic Love Song, and Cyrano—alongside a rendition of The Police's Message in a Bottle. The album's artwork was created by Patrick Nolan. Shortly after this release, Noah Kaye became part of the group following an initial live show.
The Sound and the Furry
In early 2005, most tracks for the album The Sound and the Furry were captured live at Avalon Recording Studios in Bethesda, Maryland. Additional recordings took place at venues across Baltimore and Arlington, Virginia. The album cover paid tribute to the Beatles' Let It Be, showcasing photographs of the band's pets. After its distribution through Figmental Records, Jerry Marzouk exited the band, with Noah Kaye stepping up as lead vocalist.
To the Rescue!
Seeking a refined sound in 2006, the band returned to Hit & Run Studios to record their subsequent album. The cover art was designed by DC comic artist Jake Warrenfelz and depicted the band defending the United States Capitol against a giant squid. Prior to completing this project, Anna London departed; bass parts during recording were handled by remaining members until Jackson Maier joined as bassist shortly before the album's release.
Lingua Franchise
By 2008, they finalized another album which was introduced at a launch event held on June 7 at The Grog and Tankard in Washington, D.C.