Frankie & The Heartstrings are a five-piece from Sunderland, Great Britain, a town noted for its down-at-heel introspection that more than occasionally veers into self-loathing. In a way it’s not surprising that it pushes up bands who, musically, seem the very opposite of that.

Comprising of Frankie Francis (vocals), Michael McKnight (guitar), Mick Ross (guitars and keys), Steven Dennis (bass) and Dave Harper (drums), Frankie & The Heartstrings are a heart-racing, foot-stomping traditionally brilliant British guitar band. Described by one noted music journalist as ‘a Hannah Barbera animation of Marty McFly made flesh, fronting a C86 tribute band to The Supremes’, the quintet have spent the past 12 months stirring up excitement across the country. They take a modern approach to traditional songwriting, hewing infectious songs out of deceptively simply melodies and arrangements. These are then brought to vivid life by front man Frankie who seems to find the stage a more natural surrounding than anywhere else.

October 2010 saw the release of their third single Ungrateful with its rising chorus and mantra-like call of ‘I wrote this song with you in mind’. (It was also the band’s first release as a digital download.) Shows in New York and Tokyo followed, plus an inaugural tour of Europe and a further set of shows across the UK with legend, hero and influence Edwyn Collins.

Edwyn Collins has also produced the band’s album, during sessions throughout late summer/early Autumn at his West Heath Studios in London. Titled “Hunger”, the record will be released on 21^st February 2011 on PopSex Ltd / Wichita Recordings.

Few bands have the sort of year that 2010 has been for Frankie & The Heartstrings, but few bands are as vivacious, exciting, enticing and downright brilliant. 2011 is set to be the year that the music world recognizes them for the stars they are.