IT’S a bit of an admission from the croaky-voiced singer, but Jon Fratelli reckons the recently reformed band is quietening down a bit.

“We all seem to be far too well-behaved these days,” says the Fratellis frontman.

“It’s very bizarre that we’ve become grown-up or something, but life seems easier this way.”

Having completed their first UK tour after more than a three-year hiatus, this weekend they will be headlining the Brownstock Festival, just outside Maldon.

Initially, the band split in what Jon says was a “knee-jerk” reaction, and what followed was a variety of different musical endeavours for the singer.

First was Codeine Velvet Club, the retro-pop ensemble he fronted alongside fellow-Glaswegian songbird Lou Hickey.

This was to last for only two years and was axed after only one album. Following that was an indie rock solo album, Psycho Jukebox, which didn’t get the same reception as his previous work with the Fratellis.

“It might just be me and the way that I deal with things,” says Jon. “But when I look back at them, I always think that they were the right reactions at the time.”

“Stopping playing together was my knee-jerk reaction and I think getting back to playing together was my knee-jerk reaction again.

“But I’m happy to trust it, as it seems to work half of the time. The other half of the time its a nightmare. But at least it’s a nightmare of my own creation.”

So, it was with a similar “knee-jerk” he sent an e-mail to former band members Barry and Mince, who quickly jumped at the chance to get back together as a trio last year.

And, after playing a few gigs, they’ve now come back with a UK tour, and an album, We Need Medicine, due for release next month.

“If we’ve come anywhere, it would be half-circle I guess,” says Jon.

“Maybe it’s just to do with just realising you’re in a privileged position.

“You can go out and play shows to people, because it’s not something everybody can do. I know musicians who can’t do that, because the audience isn’t there.

“We’re lucky we still have an audience that still seems interested enough to see us and you just want to do the best job for them because of that. Now I know it’s not necessarily a given, I hope that translates to better shows.”

But what does this mean for the music of the characteristically rowdy trio, who were responsible for hits including the anthemic Chelsea Dagger?

Although they are now, by Jon’s admission, “slightly quieter” and “a little less neurotic”, it’s not something the singer sees as affecting their high-octane music.

“I don’t think that would translate well for us,” he says. “When you have three musicians that play together, you have to play to their strengths. It would be pointless to ask each other to go way out of what it is we’re good at.

“Our first record was 2006, the next one was 2008. With 2013, it has to have changed, because time dictates that, but I think if people liked us before, there’s a thread in our music which would make sense.”

And Jon says getting back together came with little drama.

He adds: “It doesn’t feel like any sort of new beginning. I’ve never been able to see life in that way anyway.

“I just do see it as another day at the office, but it’s just a different office. Unless you’re of a certain level, you can’t plan. You have to react.

“And I guess what we’re doing now is that we’re ready to react and we’re good to go.”

 

BROWNSTOCK, SOUTH WOODHAM FERRERS, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

THIS weekend’s Brownstock Festival looks set to be the best yet – despite some recent hiccups.
In fact, having a headline act pull out at the last minute has actually boosted sales, rather than damaged them.
The festival was due to be headlined on Saturday by the new electronic music kids on the block Rudimental, but due to a major US touring commitment, they had to pull out.
Fortunately the Brown family, who have run the event since 2005, managed to secure a replacement – and a pretty big one at that – in Professor Green, left.
Fresh from his appearance at Glastonbury, and with a back catalogue of hit singles, a double gold certified album and a huge Facebook and Twitter profile, he is one of the biggest names to have graced the festival.
No surprise then that when it was announced he would be playing, tickets sales went mad.
Adam Brown, festival director, says: “We were obviously extremely disappointed to receive the statement from Rudimental, but we are so excited to have been able to replace them with such a formidable name.”
As well as Professor Green, festival-goers can look forward to sets by the likes of the Fratellis, Tom Odell, the Pigeon Detectives and Hadouken, as well as such locals bands as the Lucky Strikes, from Southend, and Ordinary Noise, from Colchester.
The festival also presents a full dance line-up in their Good Shed tent, which will be headlined by Mark Ronson and Duke Dumont.
Brownstock started out as a family party, presenting local bands on the back of a trailer, but has quickly grown.
The Browns, who run Morris Farm at Stow Maries, near South Woodham Ferrers, now welcome 6,000 visitors to the festival, which is in its ninth year.
The festival has sold out of all but its last tier of tickets and there will be no tickets for sale on the gate. There are still some weekend camping tickets available, priced £74.
They can be bought online at brownstock.gigantic.com/
brownstock-festival/
morris-farm/2013-08-30-14-00
More information can be found on the festival at www.brownstock.co.uk