Franz Ferdinand’s Alex Kapronos Once Got a ‘Bizarre’ Tweet From Donald Trump
Franz Ferdinand, the iconic Scottish rock band known for their sharp lyrics and infectious sound, is currently making waves in Australia as they kick off their national tour. The tour, which began on November 26 at the Red Hill Auditorium in Perth, will take the band through several cities including Brisbane, Thirroul, and Melbourne, before concluding in Sydney. Frontman Alex Kapranos recently sat down with the hosts of Triple M’s breakfast show, Robbie & Carly, to discuss not only the excitement of touring Australia but also the current political climate, which inevitably led to a conversation about former U.S. President Donald Trump.
In their 2016 track “Demagogue,” Franz Ferdinand took a bold stance on Trump’s candidacy, using their platform to critique his controversial behavior and rhetoric. The song features provocative lines that express their concerns about his leadership, such as “Those pussy grabbing fingers won’t let go of me now” and “Those tiny vulgar fingers on the nuclear bomb.” During the interview, Kapranos reflected on the song’s origins, noting that it was written in a time of uncertainty, when Trump was merely a candidate. He humorously remarked on Trump’s sensitivity, recalling a bizarre moment when the former president replied to one of his tweets. Kapranos also shared a memorable anecdote from 2004 when one of Trump’s daughters unexpectedly appeared backstage at one of their shows, highlighting the unusual intersections of music and politics.
As the band embraces the vibrant energy of Australia, Kapranos expressed his excitement about performing in Perth, a city he feels a personal connection to, given family ties. He described the transition from a dreary European winter to Australia’s beautiful spring as invigorating, stating, “Even if you’re hungover or jet-lagged, the energy of the crowd is transformative.” Franz Ferdinand, formed in Glasgow in 2002, has enjoyed significant commercial success, with multiple top 10 albums in the UK and notable chart performances in the U.S. Their ability to blend catchy melodies with incisive social commentary continues to resonate with fans, making their current tour a highly anticipated event. For those eager to hear more from the band, the full interview with Kapranos is available for streaming on Triple M.
Franz Ferdinand
and Donald Trump share almost nothing in common, apart from their Scottish heritage, and an unexpected interaction on social media.
The alternative rock outfit is currently in Australia for a national tour, kicking Wednesday, Nov. 26 at Red Hill Auditorium in Perth, Western Australia, and visiting Brisbane, Thirroul and Melbourne, before wrapping up in
Sydney
.
As the “Take Me Out” singers bang the drum for those dates, frontman Alex Kapronos stopped by Triple M for a chat with WA-based breakfast show hosts
Robbie & Carly
.
Conversation, naturally, turned to the weather — where the band has come from, and the blazing heat they’ve arrived in — and the political climate.
The band penned the 2016 track “Demagogue” when Trump was still a candidate for the presidential election, which he went on to win, against most political observers’ predictions.
With “Demagogue,” Franz Ferdinand proved once more that Scots don’t mince their words.
“From the wall straight to la cuenta/Those pussy grabbing fingers won’t let go of me now,” the sing early on. And later, “From the mob to chapter eleven/Those tiny vulgar fingers on the nuclear bomb.”
When asked the band had heard from Trump’s camp, Kapronos quipped: “He’s a sensitive chap, isn’t he? When we wrote that song, he was only just going forward as a candidate. We were writing from the perspective of, ‘Oh God, imagine if…’ And here we are… we don’t need to imagine anymore.”
Kapronos “didn’t hear anything back from him personally, although years ago he replied to a tweet of mine, which was bizarre,” he reveals. Also, one of Trump’s daughters “crashed backstage at one of our shows back in 2004,” he recounts. “It was like, ‘Who’s this woman in our dressing room?’”
The band has begun their tour down under at the best possible time. “We left a very rainy, cold, dark Europe to come to a beautiful springtime Australia — and you feel that energy,” Kapronos remarks. “It lifts you up. Even if you’re hungover or jet-lagged, the energy of the crowd is transformative.”
Also, Kapranos notes, the group’s Perth show will something of a family affair. “My sister’s husband is a Perth boy, so we know quite a few folk here. I think we’ve got a guest list of 60! Perth feels like nowhere else on earth: the trees, the plants, the wildlife, it’s so unique.”
Formed in Glasgow in 2002, Franz Ferdinand has landed seven U.K. top 10 albums, including a No. 1 with 2005’s You Could Have It So Much Better, and scooped best British group and best rock act at the BRIT Award in the same year.
Their U.S. chart story includes two hits on the Billboard Hot 100, and five appearances on the Billboard 200, including two top 10s.
Stream the Triple M interview
here
.
