The Fratellis

The Fratellis
Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	2005 in Glasgow, Scotland
Headquarters	Glasgow, Scotland
Key people	Jon Fratelli, Barry Fratelli, Mince Fratelli
Products	Music albums, singles

The Fratellis () form a Scottish rock trio originating from Glasgow, established in 2005. The lineup features lead singer and guitarist Jon Fratelli, bassist Barry Fratelli, and drummer Mince Fratelli. Their first studio album, Costello Music (2006), reached number two on the UK Albums Chart and maintained a position in the UK Top 100 for eighty-three weeks. In the United States, it peaked at number forty-eight on the Billboard 200.

They earned the 2007 BRIT Award for Best British Breakthrough Act, with Costello Music having sold over 1.1 million copies in the UK by 2018. The album yielded five singles, notably the top ten UK hits "Chelsea Dagger" and "Whistle for the Choir." After this achievement, their sophomore album, Here We Stand (2008), was released before the band entered a hiatus.

In 2013, The Fratellis made a comeback with their third album, We Need Medicine, which debuted at number twenty-six on the UK Albums Chart but exited the Top 100 after just one week, indicating a downturn in commercial success. It reached number 106 on the US Billboard 200.

Later releases — Eyes Wide, Tongue Tied (2015), In Your Own Sweet Time (2018), and Half Drunk Under a Full Moon (2021) — demonstrated improved chart standings, each entering within Scotland’s top five upon release.

2005–2006: The Fratellis EP and Costello Music

The band's name was taken from the villainous family featured in The Goonies. Their live debut occurred on 4 March 2005 in Glasgow, with their first radio airplay following that year. After fewer than ten live performances, they were signed by Fallout Records. Initially a four-piece ensemble, Mince played lead guitar while an early drummer was soon replaced. Released on 3 April 2006, The Fratellis EP contained tracks such as "Stacie Anne" and "The Gutterati?". Their debut single "Henrietta", launched on 12 June 2006, reached number nineteen on the UK Singles Chart.

Their debut full-length album, Costello Music, was released on 11 September 2006 and held the number two spot on the UK album chart for three consecutive weeks. This success led to winning the Brit Award for British Breakthrough Act in 2007, as voted by BBC Radio One listeners.

In December 2006, The Fratellis supported Kasabian during their UK tour before embarking on their own headlining dates across the UK in early 2007. Following these releases, they performed at major festivals including Glastonbury, NME's Rock 'n' Riot tour, OXEGEN, and T in the Park. During summer 2007, they served as opening act for The Police Reunion Tour across North America. That same year, they contributed cover versions like "All Along the Watchtower" for Radio 1’s 40th Anniversary compilation and "Solid Gold Easy Action" for the soundtrack of Hot Fuzz, which featured their single "Baby Fratelli".

2007–2009: Here We Stand and hiatus

On 1 October 2007, The Fratellis released their first live DVD titled Edgy In Brixton in the UK, which was recorded at London's Brixton Academy. The DVD showcased live performances of tracks from Costello Music, including B-sides and a new song called "Pretty Like a Girl". Additional content featured fan Q&A sessions and highlights from T in the Park 2007. This DVD became available in the US on 30 October 2007.

In October 2007, they contributed a rendition of "All Along the Watchtower" to the compilation album Radio 1: Established 1967, commemorating BBC Radio 1’s fortieth anniversary.

Work commenced on their second studio album, Here We Stand, in November 2007 within a rehearsal space located in Glasgow. The band took charge of production themselves and completed recording by 13 January 2008.

On 22 February 2008, several new songs — including "Mistress Mabel", "Acid Jazz Singer", and "Look Out Sunshine!" — were premiered during an intimate fan event at Queen Margaret Union. Touring additions included guitarist Robin Peringer and keyboardist Will Foster (formerly of Delicatessen, Lodger, and The Tears). After performing at the Teenage Cancer Trust show in early March, Robin Peringer departed from touring duties; Foster then covered both keyboard and guitar parts live.

Released on 9 June 2008 in the UK and a day later in the US, Here We Stand was backed by sold-out concerts in New York City, Boston, and Los Angeles. Singles from this album included "Mistress Mabel" (released 26 May) and "Look Out Sunshine!" (released 18 August). A deluxe version offered an additional track titled "Moriarty's Last Stand" alongside a DVD featuring a documentary film, live performances, and music videos for both singles.

Early in 2009 saw tours across Australia and Japan. On 27 May, they headlined Island Records’ fiftieth anniversary event where they premiered their cover of Bob Marley’s "Stir It Up" for the compilation Island 50: 50 Years of Island Records. They also topped the bill at Hop Farm Festival on 4 July following a warm-up show at Middlesbrough Empire. After this period marked by extensive touring commitments, The Fratellis entered an extended break due to fatigue and internal disagreements.

2012–2016: We Need Medicine and Eyes Wide, Tongue Tied

The Fratellis came back together for a charity event on 15 June 2012, marking their first performance since 2009. This was followed by shows at O2 ABC Glasgow and a UK tour in April 2013. During these appearances, they introduced fresh material including "She's Not Gone Yet But She's Leaving," "Seven Nights Seven Days," and "Whiskey Saga." Additional concerts in Oxford, Leicester, Sheffield, and at the Loopallu festival featured new tracks such as "This Old Ghost Town."

By 4 February 2013, the band had finished recording their third studio album, We Need Medicine, which was released on 7 October 2013. The album was produced in Glasgow by Jon Fratelli alongside Stuart McCredie. Its lead single, "Seven Nights Seven Days," was launched on 29 September. To promote the record, The Fratellis toured extensively throughout 2013 and 2014 across the US, UK, Russia, Europe, and Japan.

During the Christmas break of 2013, songwriting commenced for their subsequent project. Tracks like "Too Much Wine" and "All the Live Long Day" (later retitled "Impostors (Little By Little)") were performed live in 2014. In September that year, they released The Soul Crush EP as a complimentary download via their official website. Shortly after, the band announced plans to record their fourth album in Los Angeles with producer Tony Hoffer, who had previously collaborated on their debut album as well as Jon’s solo work Psycho Jukebox.

Their fourth album, Eyes Wide, Tongue Tied, was released on 21 August 2015 through Cooking Vinyl. Ahead of the album launch, the band shared the track "Me and the Devil" and issued the first single "Baby Don't You Lie To Me" on 29 June. Both songs were available for download with album pre-orders. A music video for "Baby Don't You Lie To Me" followed in July.

Towards the end of 2016, The Fratellis embarked on a UK tour celebrating the tenth anniversary of Costello Music, performing sixteen shows throughout November and December.

2017–2020: In Your Own Sweet Time

In 2017, The Fratellis announced via Instagram that they were recording their fifth studio album in Los Angeles with producer Tony Hoffer.

That summer saw them headline both the Vicar's Picnic music festival and the Lindisfarne Festival from August 31 to September 3.

On 29 September 2017, they unveiled details of their fifth album, In Your Own Sweet Time, which was released on 16 March 2018. The release was supported by a UK tour in March followed by a US tour during late spring and early summer. Formats available included CD, LP, limited edition orange LP, and cassette.

After performing solo shows in February 2019, Jon confirmed that recording for their sixth album with Tony Hoffer in Los Angeles was planned for April/May. On 9 May, the band teased "#6" on social media. Following an intense year in 2018, they intended to reduce their activity during 2019, limiting performances to a few shows alongside Jon’s solo appearances promoting his February 2019 album Bright Night Flowers.

2020–present: Half Drunk Under a Full Moon

January 2020 brought news of The Fratellis’ sixth studio album titled Half Drunk Under a Full Moon, initially scheduled for release on 8 May 2020 with accompanying tours across the UK and US planned for April and June respectively. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, the UK tour was postponed until October and the album's release delayed until 30 October. The North American leg was rescheduled for January 2021. The lead single from this album was "Six Days In June".

Side projects

While the band was on hiatus, Jon collaborated with singer-songwriter Lou Hickey to create Codeine Velvet Club, releasing their eponymous album in December 2009 and touring into early 2010. In 2010, he debuted as a solo artist with Psycho Jukebox and had plans for a follow-up album titled Bright Night Flowers in 2012, which was ultimately postponed due to the Fratellis' reunion.

Barry initially intended to pursue a solo career but instead became a member of Birmingham-based group the Twang from November 2011 until August 2012, after which he returned to the Fratellis.

Mince briefly joined the heavy metal outfit Throne o' Diablo before departing; subsequently, he supported Jon’s solo Psycho Jukebox tour by serving as second drummer, providing backing vocals, and occasionally playing guitar.

Following the recording of In Your Own Sweet Time, Jon revisited and re-recorded the previously shelved Bright Night Flowers album, ultimately releasing it in February 2019 accompanied by performances in London and Glasgow. These solo shows featured much of the album alongside reimagined Fratellis songs and cover versions.

The Fratellis

Jon Fratelli (John Lawler) – lead vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards
Barry Fratelli (Barry Wallace) – bass guitar, backing vocals
Mince Fratelli (Gordon McRory) – drums, backing vocals, banjo

Touring members

Will Foster – keyboards, piano (2008–present), guitar (2008–2009)
Ryan Quigley – trumpet (2021–present)
Paul Towndrow – saxophones (2021–present)
The Wild Tonics – backing vocals (2021–present)

Studio albums

Awards

Date	Award	Awarding body
4 July 2008	Best British Band	33rd Silver Clef Awards 2008
27 January 2008	Best European Border Breaking Act - United Kingdom	2008 European Border Breakers Awards (EBBA)
14 February 2007	Best British Breakthrough Act	BRIT Awards 2007