The Fratellis

The Fratellis (/frəˈtɛliːz/ frə-TEH-leez) are a Scottish rock band from Glasgow, formed in 2005. The band consists of three unrelated members, who perform under pseudonyms: lead vocalist and guitarist Jon Fratelli, bassist Barry Fratelli, and drummer Mince Fratelli. Their debut album, Costello Music (2006) peaked at number two on the UK Albums Chart and spent eighty-three weeks in the UK Top 100. In the United States, it peaked at forty-eight on the US Billboard 200.

The Fratellis won the 2007 BRIT Award for Best British Breakthrough Act, and as of March 2018, Costello Music had sold 1,145,000 copies in the UK. Costello Music spawned five singles – "Henrietta", "Chelsea Dagger", "Whistle for the Choir", "Baby Fratelli" and "Ole Black 'n' Blue Eyes". The singles "Chelsea Dagger" and "Whistle for the Choir" were both top ten hits in the UK charts. Following the success of Costello Music, the Fratellis released their second album, Here We Stand (2008), before entering a hiatus period.

The band returned in 2013 and released their third album We Need Medicine, debuting at number twenty-six on the UK Albums Chart. The album’s performance was considered a disappointment and marked significant decline in popularity for the band. We Need Medicine dropped out of the UK Top 100 after just one week. The album peaked at number 106 on the US Billboard 200.

Chart performances improved for the band with the release of their further releases, Eyes Wide, Tongue Tied (2015), In Your Own Sweet Time (2018) and Half Drunk Under a Full Moon (2021), all of which debuted within the top five in their native Scotland.

The band's name came from the criminal family in The Goonies. They played their first show on 4 March 2005 in Glasgow, and received their first radio play in 2005.^{[citation needed]} They were signed by Fallout Records after less than 10 shows. The band formed after the band members placed adverts in record stores around Glasgow, originally forming as a four-piece with Mince on lead guitar and a drummer called Chris who was soon fired. The Fratellis EP was released on 3 April 2006, featuring the tracks "Stacie Anne" and "The Gutterati?". The band's first single, "Henrietta", was released on 12 June 2006 and reached number 19 on the UK Charts.

The band's debut album, Costello Music, was released on 11 September 2006. It charted at number two in the UK album charts for three weeks. The success of the album led to the Fratellis winning the Brit Award for British Breakthrough Act in 2007, an award that was voted for by BBC Radio One listeners.

The Fratellis supported Kasabian in December 2006 on their UK tour before playing 10 dates by themselves in February and March 2007. Following the release of Costello Music, the band embarked on a tour of the UK festival circuit, playing at Glastonbury and headlining at festivals such as NME's Rock 'n' Riot tour, OXEGEN 2007 and T in the Park 2007, amongst others. They also opened for The Police Reunion Tour in the summer of 2007 in some of the North America dates. The Fratellis also recorded some cover songs during the year including "All Along the Watchtower" for Radio 1's 40th Anniversary Double Album, Radio 1: Established 1967, and "Solid Gold Easy Action" for the soundtrack of the film Hot Fuzz, which also included the single "Baby Fratelli".

The band released their first live DVD, Edgy In Brixton, in the UK on 1 October 2007, which was recorded at the Brixton Academy in London. Following the release of the album, the Fratellis embarked on a full live performance of the debut album Costello Music, B-sides from various singles and a new song called "Pretty Like a Girl". Extras on the DVD include the band being asked questions by members of the Fratellis' website, and on the deluxe edition, highlights from the T in the Park 2007 festival. It was released in the United States on 30 October 2007.