Franz and Galen of The Hold Steady, SECC (supporting Counting Crows), May 2009
The Hold Steady’s website reports that Franz Nicolay – keys, red wine and flamboyance – has left the band to concentrate on what I can only assume are his solo projects.
As gutted as I am about this – Nicolay’s onstage persona and mischievous interplay with bassist Galen Polivka was one of the most enjoyable things about my favourite band’s live shtick – Jay has pointed out that it’s not as if he played on the earlier albums and this could see an exciting shift in sound away from what the Hold Steady totally nailed on their last two albums.
All the best, Franz – thanks for the ‘tache, the fun and the memories. This little blog will certainly be paying attention whatever you get up to next.
DOWNLOAD: Franz Nicolay – X-Games
DOWNLOAD: The Dresden Dolls (ft. Franz Nicolay) – Ballad of a Teenage Queen
BUY: Major General
Gutted Franz is leaving. World/Inferno Friendship Society are breaking up too =(
uh…world/inferno is definitely NOT breaking up.
(that’s a rumour that some kids in the scene started spreading while the board was down for a month because the band forgot to pay their webhosting bills. …it’s a bad joke—there’s not a spec o’ truth to it. case in point: inferno’s releasing an EP on valentine’s day; they’re booking venues for a tour in the US this spring, & going to europe again in july&august; & performing a number of radio plays in the fall…nevermind that band members have been laughing about that rumour having managed to gain any credibility from the get-go.)
Thanks for that! x