Now officially classed as ‘stalwarts’ of the Irish indie music scene, The Frank & Walters have amassed a seriously loyal fanbase since forming in Cork in 1989 - and they’re still going strong, 32 years later.
With hits including the timeless ‘After All’ to ‘Fashion Crisis Hits New York’ and ‘This is Not a Song’, the Leeside band are perfectly primed to please the crowds at this year’s Galway Folk Festival from June 15th - 19th.
Ahead of their gig in the City of the Tribes, we caught up with frontman Paul Linehan to get the lowdown on his influences, inspirations and his favourite takeaway food.
1. What’s the music that you listened to growing up, that you still listen to today?
The bands I still listen to since I was younger would be Prefab Sprout, The Kinks, The Beatles, Echo and the Bunnymen, Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, New Order and Joy Division.
2. In three words, describe the minute before you walk on stage.
Excited, anticipating, nervous.
3. How do you wind down after a gig?
By having the craic with the lads and the audience.
4. What’s the one song you wish you’d written or recorded first?
‘Three Little Birds’ by Bob Marley.
5. What’s the last thing you watched on TV?
Ozark.
6. Name one record, one book and one film that everyone should hear / read / see.
‘Swoon’ by Prefab Sprout and ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’.
7. What’s your biggest pet peeve?
People driving towards me on my side of the road.
8. Pick the director and lead actor(s) for a biopic about your life.
Aidan Walsh.
9. You’re ordering take-away, what do you get?
Indian - Tikka Masala.
10. Describe your perfect day off.
Going for a drive to the country , having a picnic and climbing a mountain.
BONUS QUESTION: Recommend a podcast and tell us why we should subscribe to it.
'Sodajerker’ on songwriting. It gives a great insight into songwriting from the great songwriters.
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The Frank & Walters play the Galway Folk Festival, which runs in Galway from June 15th - 19th. www.galwayfolkfestival.ie
