The Fratellis reform for summer 2012 tour and festival headliner

The Fratellis

'Dah-dah-dah, dah-dah-dah, dah dah dah da-da-da-dah' etc - yes, if you've watched the darts on the TV, been to a student-disco or watched Yeovil Town FC at home, you might well be familiar with 'Chelsea Dagger' and its rousing catchy chant. I've seen grown men singing this with bellies out, pint glasses raised and tears in their eyes at a pub in West London (Chelsea had lost again) - not a pretty sight.

All of which might put you off The Fratellis which is a shame because, songs-wise, lead singer and songwriter Jon (real name John Lawler - they're not related despite the Fratelli implication) is bang on the money for the most part and the band probably soundtracked the whole of 2006 without you realizing it. Their sparky debut album 'Costello Music' achieved over 1 million sales and spent nearly two years in the Top 100 Album Chart, losing out on a #1 slot by being up against the latest Justin Timberlake vehicle and Scissor Sisters' second album 'Ta-Dah'. 'Chelsea Dagger', 'Whistle For The Choir' and 'Henrietta' all earned The Fratellis festival slots and sell-out shows.

After a somewhat restrained second album appeared in the form of 'Here We Stand', 2008 became something of a pivotal year for the band. The success of the first album wasn't repeated (although it was certified with Gold sales and a Top 5 placing) and the Fratellis wound themselves up after a Hop farm show during the following year. Bassist Barry snuck off to be in The Twang and Jon continued as a soloist and occasional member of Codeine Velvet Club. But you know what? It's time to pull together again.

The Fratellis officially reformed last month with a charity show in Stirling and are now stepping up a few gears with the announcement of a UK tour, festival appearance and the promise of a new album by the end of 2012. The Loopallu Festival, based in Ullapool in North West Scotland will be the first show on 21st September and, provided they don't get flooded out, they'll then head south to Oxford for the first of four headliners that will also take in Sheffield, Leicester and lastly, Glasgow on the 26th.

We have tickets to all shows now, priced at £15. If you fancy the picturesque Scottish coast beforehand, Loopallu will set you back £75 for the entire weekend (also features Jake Bugg and others).

Paul Pledger