Not long ago, Wollongong locals The Francos dropped their irresistible EP Absolute Scenes. Woozy and textured, it’s a release that will suck you in a spin you round like a whirlpool… a big, warm, bubbly one.
We were eager to find out more about how the boys put their new EP together, so we asked them to share a few key pieces of gear they’re currently kicking around.
From snare drums to sporting goods, here are 6 pieces of gear that Wollongong rockers The Francos wouldn’t leave home without.
Yamaha HS-5 Speakers
An absolute necessity for any kind of decent mixing/mastering is good quality speakers, and these lil’ beauties do just the trick. If you ever walk into a professional studio, you’ll often see their bigger brother (the HS-8) but the fives are perfect for my little home studio.
My wonderful girlfriend gave them to me for Christmas and since then they have been a game-changer for my mixing.
DIY Electronic Drum Kit
Electronic drum kits are great for quiet practicing and song writing. However, a lot of the electronic drum kits on the market look and feel nothing like an acoustic drum set and the ones that do cost upwards of 10 grand.
With this in mind, Alec and Xav decided to make their own. After many hours of research they bought a rusty old drum kit for $50 which they then converted into an electric kit through the use of homemade triggers.
Moog Sub Phatty
When most people see this unit they immediately say “cool, a bass synth!” and no doubt they’re right; the Sub Phatty has an aggressive low end with a lot of meat, which has really boosted this EP compared to our last.
But the instrument also has a delicate upper register and, due to it being a monophonic synth, helped to create a more melodic and colourful record.
Kookaburra Cricket Set
Taking breaks is super important when you’re working, so during a jam or recording session we will often blow off some steam with a good game of Backyard Cricket.
In my honest opinion, it is the single most important part of our longevity, not only as a band but also as mates. Classic plastic bat and stumps accompanied by a nice homemade ‘Swing King’ and you’re on your way to a perfect summer arvo.
Chad Smith Signature Snare Drum
If there’s anything that the Francos love more than backyard cricket it’s a bargain, and the Chad Smith Signature Snare Drum that Alec bought was certainly that. At the time, the band was using a DW Collector’s Snare that, although it sounded phenomenal, wasn’t the sound that the band was after.
After seeing a used Chad Smith Snare for sale at a crazy price Alec decided to snap it up and hasn’t looked back since. As a RHCP fan, the snare was exactly what he wanted with its rich tone and just the right amount of crack to cut through the mix.
Rehearsal Studio
Not often discussed in these types of articles but still incredibly important! We started out jamming in my parents’ garage for a few years, but eventually we received angry letters from an old couple a few doors down, so rehearsing all of a sudden became a big issue for us. Luckily, Alec now lives on campus at UOW and his building has a designated jam room, so we can play as loud as we like in a comfortable space.
Noise complaints are a reality for many young bands so finding a good rehearsal space can make things so much easier (Sydney bands can find heaps of rehearsal studios in Marrickville/Sydenham).
Listen to The Francos’ new EP Absolute Scenes below.
