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.

Frankie & The Heartstrings formed two years ago in Sunderland when guitarist Michael McKnight and drummer David Harper hooked up with Frankie over cocktails at a calypso night in a pub the singer was running at the time. They were probably all a little surprised at how easily it gelled.

Hunger is a crystalline-perfect indie pop anthem with a call-and-response hook that only needs to be heard once to be loved. “The original idea for “Hunger” was drawn from the meaning of the word in the 1890’s novel “Hunger” by Knut Hamsun,” explains singer Frankie Francis. “It’s a term that invokes all our inspirations, be it musically, literary or physically, for the cause. We have overcome many sacrifices on our own individual journeys and gather a bigger passion for the cause each day\”.

The record was produced by Edwyn Collins at his West Heath Studio in London. “It\’s been amazing and magnificent to work with the wonders of Sunderland,” he says of their time in the studio and on tour together in November. The album features previous singles Hunger/Fragile and Tender/Want You Back, which so far have only been available on limited edition 7” vinyl.