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Jon Fratelli Biography

jon-fratelli
  • Born: in Glasgow, Scotland
  • Years Active: 2000s-present
  • Member of: Codeine Velvet Club
  • Genre: Rock & Alternative

Scottish singer/guitarist Jon Fratelli first came to prominence as frontman of unruly indie rock trio the Fratellis before embarking on a series of side projects in the late noughties. Born John Paul Lawler in Glasgow in 1979, he independently released a Bob Dylan-esque debut album, Free Urban Clown, under his own name, before forming the Fratellis with Barry Wallace and Gordon McRory in 2005. The band scored a huge hit with "Chelsea Dagger" and its parent album, Costello Music; the band won a Brit Award for Best British Newcomer. After an appearance at the Coachella Festival, however, Fratelli temporarily left the band, unable to deal with the pressures of touring. Following their 2008 sophomore album, Here We Stand, the three-piece announced a hiatus, and Fratelli teamed up with burlesque club singer Lou Hickey to form lounge-pop outfit Codeine Velvet Club. After a swan song performance in Japan, the pair parted company and Fratelli began work on a solo effort with producer Tony Hoffer (Depeche Mode). The resulting album, Psycho Jukebox, was released on Island Records in 2011. ~ Jon O'Brien, Rovi

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