Franz Ferdinand
Biography
Franz Ferdinand is a Scottish rock band that formed in Glasgow in 2002. The original lineup consisted of Alex Kapranos (lead vocals, guitar, keyboards), Nick McCarthy (guitar, keyboards, vocals), Bob Hardy (bass), and Paul Thomson (drums). The band is named after Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria. The name was chosen after the band saw a racehorse named Archduke Ferdinand win a race.
Career
The band signed with the independent label Domino Recording Company in May 2003. Their debut single, "Darts of Pleasure," was released in late 2003. Their breakthrough came with their second single, "Take Me Out," released in January 2004, which reached number three in the UK Singles Chart. This song became their signature track and earned a Grammy nomination.
Debut Album and Initial Success
Their self-titled debut album, "Franz Ferdinand," was released in early 2004. It debuted at number three on the UK Albums Chart and received widespread critical acclaim. The album won the 2004 Mercury Music Prize and was nominated for a Grammy for Best Alternative Album. NME also named it their album of the year.
Subsequent Albums
Their second album, "You Could Have It So Much Better," was released in 2005 and became a UK number one album. It featured the hit single "Do You Want To." The band's sound evolved with their third album, "Tonight: Franz Ferdinand" (2009), which incorporated more dance and electronic elements. A dub remix album titled "Blood" was released later that year. Their fourth studio album, "Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action," was released in 2013. In 2015, they collaborated with the band Sparks to form the supergroup FFS and released a self-titled album.
Lineup Changes and Later Work
In 2016, founding guitarist Nick McCarthy departed from the band. He was replaced by Dino Bardot and Julian Corrie, expanding the lineup to a five-piece. The first album with this new lineup, "Always Ascending," was released in 2018. Drummer Paul Thomson left in 2021 and was replaced by Audrey Tait. The band released a greatest hits compilation, "Hits to the Head," in 2022, which featured two new songs. Their most recent studio album, "The Human Fear," was released in January 2025.
Musical Style
Franz Ferdinand is often categorized as a post-punk revival and indie rock band. Their music is known for its danceable rhythms, angular guitar riffs, and catchy melodies. Their influences include new wave and art rock.
Discography
Studio Albums
- Franz Ferdinand (2004)
- You Could Have It So Much Better (2005)
- Tonight: Franz Ferdinand (2009)
- Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action (2013)
- Always Ascending (2018)
- The Human Fear (2025)
Collaborative Albums
- FFS (with Sparks) (2015)