Interview Franck Carducci
- Introduce us to the band! What are your names and what do you do in the band?
When I released my first album “ODDITY” in 2011, I didn’t have a band. That’s the reason the artist’s name was simply “Franck Carducci”. After that I got some gig offers so I had to form a band.
The lineup has changed several times since then, but that’s the life of any band I suppose. Currently, the lineup is called “The Fantastic Squad” (yes, they really live up to their name!) It’s made out of Mary Reynaud (vocals, acoustic guitar, Theremin, percussions, choreogrphies, …), Lea Fernandez (drums), Barth Sky (electric guitar), Cedric Selzer (keyboard) and myself Franck Carducci (bass, 12 string guitar and vocals)
- Where do you call home?
Lyon, France is our home but Amsterdam is my second home since I used to live up there. London is our heart home because that’s where we play the most often
- How long have you been together as a band and how did you find each other?
The current lineup has been together since 2019, just before covid. But Mary Reynaud was already there since 2014.
- Do you have a special songwriting recipe you follow?
I write all my songs. Sometimes I co-write it when one of my band members. There’s no real well-defined creative process. It comes to me (or not) Most of the songs I write are about fantasy. I want to make people dream and travel through my music. But I’ve also got a few more down-to-earth numbers, about relationships and stuff like that.
I often take inspiration from ’60s’60s and 70s Hollywood movies, I love Al Pacino, Jack Nicholson, Steve McQueen, Robert DeNiro, Marlon Brando and so many others … But also Greek mythology and English literature from writers like Lewis Caroll.
- How would members of your family describe your music to someone that hasn’t heard it?
My music is widely influenced by 70s classic-rock, so I’d say I’m a new classic-rock artist with a lot of visual stage effects. Some call it “Theatrical Rock” I like that label a lot.
- What do you have on your(Spotify) playlists you would be embarrassed for others to see?
Maybe the soundtrack from GREASE, but I wouldn’t be embarassed for that, I’m not ashamed !!! 🙂
- Do you have any pre-show rituals?
Yes we do what we call the “war scream” just before we get on stage …
- Who have you met that has left you starstruck?
Roger Hodgson from Supertramp. It was at the Airport in Amsterdam … I almost cried!
- What do you consider your greatest achievement as far as a band?
I guess opening for Sting in front of about 15000 people last year … how cool is that? 🙂
* What key elements do you believe makes up a successful song?
A good riff, a catchy melody and an interesting theme
* When writing, how do you know when it is finally done?
You don’t. You never know. It’s never “finished”. You just decide, at one point, it is finished, but you could always go on and add something more, remove something here, change something there …
* What song of yours are you most proud of?
Probably “Achilles”, or “Asylum”, or maybe “Artificial Paradises” … I don’t know but apparently it starts with an ‘A’ 🙂
* Is it possible to be on the road and not eat junk food? How do you keep it leveled out?
In our case, it’s very difficult because we’re a 100% indie band so we have to take care of everything and we’re always busy (and late). But Mary Reynaud manages to eat healthy anyways.
For the rest, we just accept that eating healthy is not our priority while on tour …
* Are you able to write while on the road or do you need a calm familiar space like home?
Usually I have to drive way too much to be able to write anything … 🙂
* What’s the most embarrassing thing to happen on stage or on tour?
You get on stage and your mic is not working, or your instrument is not plugged …
* What can BleachBANGS do to help you in any way?
Spread out the news about us!!! We’ll be touring the UK in 2024:
FEB-28 : LONDON – The Bedford
FEB-29 : SWINDON – The Victoria
MAR-01 : PORT TALBOT – Seaside Social & Labour Club
MAR-02 : STOURPORT – Fusion Festival
MAR-03 : SOUTHAMPTON – The 1865
MAR-06 : LEICESTER – The Musician
MAR-07 : LIVERPOOL – Cavern Club
MAR-08 : GLASGOW – Ivory Blacks
MAR-09 : NEWCASTLE – Innisfree Sports & Social Club
MAR-10 : OUNDLE – Queen Victoria Hall
* How can everyone keep up with everything you have going on? Where can they get albums/merch?
Everything should be on my website: www.franckcarducci.com
And of course Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, Apple, Bandcamp, Amazon, Deezer, … you name it!
This extraordinary group opened for Sting in June 2022 in front of 15,000 people.
Steve Hackett (Genesis guitarist) has supported them since 2010 – even recording on their second album in 2015.
They won the “Best Overseas Band” award from the Classic Rock Society, and in 2024, they will embark on their 11th tour in the United Kingdom.
They travel throughout Europe with their theatrical rock show, dazzling audiences, transcending genres, and winning unanimous praise at every performance.
FRANCK CARDUCCI & THE FANTASTIC SQUAD do not just offer an ordinary concert, they deliver a true experience with music of course – authentic 70s rock that evokes Pink Floyd, Supertramp, and Led Zeppelin.
They oscillate from powerful and energetic sounds to atmospheric moods that lend themselves to daydreaming… We guarantee it is going to be a magical journey!
However, limiting it to just the sound would be extremely reductive because this project is also a full show, with costumes, staging, humour, narration, and whimsical instruments.
Your senses will not be given a second of rest.
You vibrate, you marvel, you have fun!
It’s a unique, generous, festive, glittery, fun, and glamorous show that will conquer any audience.
“A very tough act to follow!” – [Sting]
Press quotes:
“One of the most exciting stage shows” – [Classic-Rock Society]
“A spectacular, Flamboyant show” – [Cambridge News]
“A surrealistic Rock Circus” – [Prog Magazine]
“A theatrical journey” – [Powerplay Magazine]
“One of the greatest showmen” – [Royston Crow News]
“Absolutely flawless” – [Fireworks Magazine]
