Franz Ferdinand are a Scottish rock band formed in Glasgow in 2002, and whose original line-up was composed of lead vocalist, musician and songwriter Alex Kapranos (born in Gloucestershire, March 20, 1972), guitarist and keyboardist Nick McCarthy, bassist Bob Hardy, and drummer Paul Thomson. Since 2017 after McCarthy’s departure, keyboardist Julian Corrie and guitarist Dino Bardot.
The group had all originally played in various Scottish bands such as The Kariela, The Yummy Fur, The 1990s and 10p Invaders before signing a label deal with Domino Records in 2002 and releasing their debut song Darts Of Pleasure a year later.
Franz Ferdinand went on to achieve a string of hit songs in the mid-2000s such as the catchy riff-fuelled Take Me Out, Michael, Do You Want To and Matinee, as well as a UK Number 1 album with their self-titled debut in 2004.
In 2025, Franz Ferdinand garnered their highest-charting album in 16 years with The Human Fear, they also scooped Best British Group and Best Rock Act at the 2005 BRIT Awards. Image: Newspix/Shutterstock
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