Frankie & The Heartstrings are a Sunderland-based indie rock band that formed in 2008. The band consists of Singer Frankie Francis, guitarist Michael McKnight, Drummer Dave Harper, Bassist Michael Matthews, and Ross Millard on vocals and guitar. The band’s debut release was a 10″ 7 track live EP 12.09.09, released on their own Pop Sex Ltd records in a limited edition in November 2009. The following month they followed it up with a double A side 7″ single Hunger/Fragile released on Rough Trade. That month they played their first major tour supporting Florence & The Machine.

Now, following the release of their third album ‘Decency’ in July, Frankie & The Heartstrings are pleased to announce details of new single ‘Money’ in October and a run of shows with The Charlatans throughout December. Decency was recorded during the tail end of summer 2014 at Leeds’ Suburban Homes studio with contribution by MJ of Hookworms. The band launched the album with shows in London, and Newcastle as well as their Pop Recs Ltd store in Sunderland.
In other news, the band are currently on hiatus as regards their Sunderland record store, Pop Sex Ltd. and looking at various ways of funding the venture with a view to its long term future in the city. News on future developments are expected imminently.

Meanwhile, following a handful of festival appearances in September, the band will head out for their planned tour of the UK in October 2015, before the Christmas festivities begin with The Charlatans in December. The full itinerary is below:

September
05 – Berwick Lindisfarne Festival
18 – Sunderland City Of Culture Festival
19 – Hartlepool We Are Family Festival

October
02 – Hull Adelphi
04 – York Duchess
05 – Lincoln University Student Union
06 – Norwich Arts Centre
08 – Cambridge Portland Arms
09 – Birmingham Sunflower Lounge
10 – London Hackney Festival

December
08 – Nottingham Rock City*
09 – Cardiff Tramshed*
11 – Norwich UEA*
12 – Birmingham Academy*
14 – Edinburgh Usher Hall*
15 – Dundee Caird Hall*
17 – Newcastle Academy*
18 – Liverpool Academy*
19 – London Brixton Academy*

* supporting The Charlatans