[Gary]

Franz Ferdinand FAQ's


How Did The Band Come About Their Name?

The year is 1914; a dark cloud hangs over europe. A shot rings out on the streets of sarajevo and an archduke - the heir to the throne of austria, no less - slumps dead in his carriage... a world war is imminent

Another country, another lifetime, glasgow, 2002 to be precise, and the four members of 'bob and nick's band' are excited. Local club stereo has agreed to host the 5th gig of their career - and there's only one problem. 'bob and alex's band' need a name, and they need it quick, what with having to make posters to promote the show

Tired of the fruitless search for a snappy moniker, 'bob and nick's band' retire to the sofa and settle down in front of the horse racing being shown on the tv station channel 4. A horse romps home, it's named 'the archduke'.

This then subsequently sparked off a conversation within the band about former great archdukes throughout history and eventually the discussion got on to the austro - hungarian archduke franz ferdinand who's assassination precipitated word war 1. Liking the alliteration of the name and the affect the archdukes assassination had on the world, something clicked and the band now had a name

On the subject of the epiphany alex said: "it was just a moment caught in time but it had such an impact. We liked the idea that when he got shot the whole world changed forever. Because like the beatles, the stones or stone roses, all bands want to change the world."

The rest is now consigned to history, just as the effect the archdukes assassination was to have on the world forever more


What's The Song Michael About || Are The Band Gay?

Michael is the track on the bands debut eponymous album that has attracted the most interest and even outrage in some quarters, especially after it was released a single, what with its suggestive, but at the same time highly ambiguous homoerotic content

The band themselves seem a little perplexed about all the fuss it's provoked, what with alex being surprised it's the track people ask about the most, when it's probably one of the most straightforward on the album - Musician and friend of the band 'michael kasparis' was the inspiration behind the track, after the boyz franz had witnessed him dancing provocatively with another friend on a debauched night out at a glasgow nightclub

On the subject of the track the man himself inspired, michael explained: "i've been mates with the guys in franz for years, we went on a boy's night out to disco X. I was a wee bit more drunk than everybody else and got up on a podium to dance. They thought it was hilarious and it inspired the song. The original lyrics were a lot less serious but they changed them when it came to recording"

Michael who plays himself in the promotional video for the track, talking about the promo clip for the song explains: "in the last scene, i get my arm ripped off by a guy who wants a part of me. I had to be fitted with prosthetic arm. The little camp dance I do is just me. It wasn't choreographed. That's how I dance"

He continued: "my mother has seen the video a few times, too. She's quite proud of me, but she did ask me if i was gay... even though i've had a girlfriend since i was 15"

Plenty of other straight bands have sung about boy-boy lust—it's a rock 'n' roll tradition that goes back way before those sweet and tender hooligans the beatles. nirvana were total queer-punk wannabes, in the tradition of david bowie, bryan ferry, lou reed, and so many other straight rockers who crushed out on gay guys in their music, if not in real life.

So in answer to the myriad of questions we're inundated with regarding both the band's and michael's sexuality - no the band. nor michael is gay, they're all in loving heterosexual relationships, but even if they were, would it really encroach upon your capacity to enjoy the bands music?


When is the 3rd album coming out??

The 3rd Album which is titled Tonight:, will be released on the 26th January 2009.
preorders are available at all major online music stores, and itunes.


Who is the 5th Franz??

The 5th Franz is no other than ex-fiery furnaces drummer and long time friend Andrew Knowles.He features on keys for "Do you want to?" "Your the reason I'm Leaving" , Plays guitar on "L Wells" part of the drum orgy that is "outsiders" and on drums for "walk away" leaving Paul free to play some guitar.He took over Pauls drum duties in july of this year as Paul spent time with his wife and new born son Georgie.
What are the hidden messages in "Micheal" and "Outsiders"???

Michael:
The hidden message just after the chorus played backwards is "Call your mother she's worried about you"

Outsiders:
The hidden message at the end of the song played forwards "fall alseap fall asleap fall asleap" played backwards its "Peace and love Peace and love Peace and love"


What happened to Soundbites?
Well as a majority of fans know,Alex wrote a food column for the Gaurdian newspaper weekly supplement G2.Alex has finished writing soundbites and a book of his writings has been published. Soundbites: Eating on tour with Franz Ferdinand is available now.




Any other Franz related questions post below, and our mods and admins will address the question!

[redmist]

Credit to Mark at .net for many of those answers?

[Gary]

for the first two yes thanks markie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
_________________

Facebook|MySpace|Twitter|
LastFM|LJ

"You don't know the Pseudonyms I assume"

[Maxim]

One more thing to add in the Andy part; he is part of the three-way drumming at every live performance of Outsiders.

[Daniela]

Sorry for being b*tchy but there's typos in the hidden messages-part.
_________________

[district_sleeps_alone]

HOLY CRAP TYPOS!!!!
_________________
www.last.fm/ULoveItSlags

[Margarita]

That's why it's a hidden message.
_________________

[grenouille]

Hum, sorry for my poll, early today. and sorry to insist.

I'm agree Andy can be consider as 5th franz member (he does so many things for the band ) but It's not written on any official website he is a member (franzferdinand.co.uk, franzferdinand.tv, myspace.com/franzferdinand nor dominorecords). I want to know if it's a real information (from the band) or just an information only from fansite?

I think a big part of french people (and may be in the word) to the question 'How many are they?, will answer: 4. So that why I do that poll to know what franzfans think about it.

Vive les Franz
_________________
Visitez FRANZVILLE

[Milos]

Bob and Nicks band? It was originally Alex and Bob's band.... Whatever, Good job Gary!!
_________________

Log on here for Franz media.
e-mail: franzypants1@gmail.com
password: btG69VjT