Franck Carducci interview 20/12/23
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7toHGlEwNE
MM: Can you tell us about your Band and whos your biggest influences
I grew up in Lyon, France, in an Italian family where 70’s classic-rock music was part of
everyday life. We would listen to the Beatles and the Stones as well as Billy Joel or
Supertramp, Led Zeppelin and old Elton John records.
As a teenager, I grew particularly fond of a band with very weird album covers. They had
this cow with no band name on it, and another one had 2 guys shaking hands but one of
them was on fire. My favorite one pictured a pig flying over an old London power station.
They went by the name of Pink Floyd, and their music changed my life.
So I started to play covers in pubs and clubs downtown Lyon, where I was not even old
enough to be allowed in as a customer 🙂 I was also doing some studio sessions work
in the area. In parallel, I was writing my own songs and recording some demos.
Regularly, friends would tell me: “Hey, these songs sound good, you should make an
album!” and I would always give the same answer: “What for? Nobody knows me and it’s
never gonna work!”
Later on, I moved to Amsterdam and joined the local scene there. Then I got to meet one
of my childhood heroes, Steve Hackett from Genesis. I opened a gig for him and we had
a long discussion. At some point he said to me: “Your songs sound good, you should
record an album!”. So I fired my usual response to this, but then he replied: “Well, just do
it for yourself, that way you can’t be disappointed, if it works you’re happy, if it doesn’t,
you’re still happy because you did it for you anyway!”
The next day, I started the recording of my first album “Oddity”. Steve was very
supportive in the process and he apparently enjoyed the album because he then offered
to play on the next one, which he did on “Torn Apart” in 2015. So I guess, everything I
achieved as a solo artist, I owe it to Steve somehow, I wouldn’t be here without his wise
words.
MM: Where do you draw your inspirations and ideas from
A lot of fantasy, dreams, travel, 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, English literature (Lewis Caroll, ...)
MM: What would you say is your Bands favourite song ?
“Alice's Eerie Dream” is usually the fans favorite. Also helped by all the theatrics featured
in it!
MM: Plans tour and festival wise for 2024
After releasing an acoustic album as a duo with Mary Reynaud + a live album with my
Fantastic Squad in 2023, I'm now currently working on my next studio album.
In the meantime, 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
More info on my website: www.franckcarducci.com
MM: What can we expect from Franck Carducci & The Fantastic Squad live
A lot of fun, a lot of smiles, and a lot of visual effects.
I always tend to think that even if the music is awesome, when you’re gonna ask people
to go out, buy a ticket and come to the show, music alone is not enough. If it’s just for the
music, they’ll be better off listening to a quality recording sitting confortably on their sofa
at home.
So I gotta give them more than just the music. I want my show to be a real visual
experience for the audience. Costumes, make-up, staging, lighted-wings, laser-gloves,
hats, .... you name it!
MM: What do you like best and worst about touring
BEST: For me it’s all about meeting a lot of people, bringing them joy, emotions, making
sure they forget about their everyday life for a while.
WORST: I wish we could enjoy it more after the shows, unfortunately, we need to tidy up,
clean up, load the van and hit the road ...
MM: Which three Bands would be your ultimate touring buddies
Paul McCartney, Elton-John and Guns&Roses
MM: What's the most memorable concert you've been to (other than your own) and
why
I went to see Roger Waters play “The Dark Side of the Moon” in an outdoor park in the
Netherlands in 2011. It was so good that the (real) full moon rose from behind the stage
during the show. A lot of people (including me) were crying at that moment!
MM: What do you feel has been your biggest accomplishment so far
It will have to be supporting Sting in front of 15000 people last year, especially when he
came to me after our set and told me “wow, you guys are a really tough act to follow!” :)
MM: Which are your Two favourite Albums of all time
“ANIMALS” by Pink-Floyd and “SELLING ENGLAND BY THE POUND” by Genesis
MM: Can you remember the first time you ever played live and how it felt to have
people watching you?
I remember well. I was 14, playing in a club that was 16+ only
I looked at the crowd from backstage and then told my bandmates: “OK guys, that’s it, I
can’t make it, I’m going home!” :)
I used to throw up before each concert. Now it has stopped.
MM: Growing up which Bands posters did you have on your bedroom wall.
A lot of Pink-Floyd because they were really arty.
I had Elvis and Little Richard too. But mainly 60s/70s rock bands, like The Beatles, The
Eagles, Billy Joel, The Rolling Stones, ...
MM: Who do you think influenced the world of Metal / Rock more than any other
person
My answer might sound weird but I’d say Marlon Brando.
I read somewhere that Brando was Rock ‘n’ Roll before Rock ‘n’ Roll was invented
He influenced Elvis, James Dean, ... and the rest is History!
MM: What's the most important thing to the band right now?
Keep doing what we do best, which is to entertain people, bring smiles on their faces!
And try to reach a bigger audience, get more festival bookings
MM: If you could do a cover of any song which one would it be and why?
“THE ENTERTAINER” by Billy Joel ... I think it describes me pretty well :)
MM: Tell us why we should buy and listen to your Band
Good question ... might be best to ask some of our fans! :)
MM: Four words to describe Franck Carducci & The Fantastic Squad
Rock, Fun, Psychedelic, Theatrical
MM:Final Words for your fans and our readers
Well I hope to see a lot of yous at one of our gigs
In the meantime, feel free to visit my website: www.franckcarducci.com
And of course Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, Apple, Bandcamp, Amazon, Deezer, ... you
name it!
