When I decided to go and see The Alarm in the Spring on 1985 for my first ever gig, little did I know it was going to be the start of a musical love affair that would continue through the following decades. It wasn't the Alarm though that hooked me that night although they were very good, it was actually a hot new band led by a firebrand of a singer with an even brighter red Harrington jacket. The Faith Brothers were the band and Billy Franks was the singer/songwriter. For the most part, support bands play to a disinterested audience waiting for the big ticket name to follow, the music is something playing in the background whilst the gigger queues at the bar to get in the mood! This night was different, this night, heads were turned when this young band from Fulham started their set with passionate fury. Billy Franks full of youthful arrogance, stuck his chest out and said 'put your drink down and look at me, I matter'. The red jacket and bright red shoes lit up the stage as did the vibrant political angst of his heartfelt, poignant words. Songs like 'Country of the Blind' and the faster version of 'Eventide' were belted out with such power, you almost felt as if the arena would collapse under the weight of presence of these unknowns. What I do remember is that the bars were empty, the disinterested became interested and edged to the front to see what the fuss was about! For a first ever gig, it left me mesmerised and emotionally exhausted. The coach journey home was a blur, all I knew is that I had seen the next big thing! Indeed, I wasn't the only new fan, Bono saw the Faiths play in Dublin and immediately asked them to support U2 at Milton Keynes bowl in 85. They were also invited to appear on Live aid as a new up and coming band, but this was turned down!
'Eventide' the defining first album and ' A Human Sound' shortly after should have catapulted Fulham's finest into the pop stratosphere but after turning down a mega money record deal for personal and maybe reasons of principle, the vibrant aura faded and the band split up in 1987.
This lack of commercial success was a hard pill to swallow and poignant, soul drenched tracks like 'Fulham Court', 'The Tradesmens entrance' and the heartbreaking Falklands war lament 'Easter Parade' were consigned to the memories of the fans who would never leave them behind.
Billy Franks had a tough upbringing as detailed in his book 'A far cry from sunset' but his life is a tribute to the never say die spirit of the eternal underdog. The book itself is the amazing story ostensibly of friends on a road trip trying to get famous bands and singers to record a tribute album to an unknown songwriter. This epitomised Franks ethos that the adventure of life, of trying to do something amazing is more rewarding than the end result.
Despite the solo albums that followed the split of the Faiths, commercial success continued to elude Franks, but it never infiltrated his never say die spirit that will never wane!
I feel able to write these words as I have shared a whiskey with Billy after an intimate gig at the Railway inn, Winchester. For him to have dedicated 'Easter Parade' to me was a moment so golden, it will forever be transcribed on my heart. We spoke about books, his love for Bertrand Russell amongst others and his lifes ideals, I have never met anybody like him, so much passion, so much humility, one of lifes winners, well certainly in spirit where he is blessed.
Billy Franks is back with an idea for a new album entitled ' A letter to the Times'. For this to succeed, he needs our help to get the project up and running. All you need to do is click on the link http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/billyfranks and pledge to help with some exclusive offers to bid on. The end result will be a new album from a songwriter who truly matters, an album that may just give this wonderful man a welcome change in his fortunes. He has given so much to so many people, it is time to give a little back.
