Fireworks Promised as The Franceens Explode Into Preston

The York based underground three piece – consisting of guitarist and vocalist Dan Gott, bass player Naomi Westerman and drummer Miles Morrison – are signed to TNS Records (a Manchester based record label) and have recently returned from a European tour. Drawing on influences such as The Hives and The Sonics, in December 2013 they released their first album, Stepford Smiles, but the band say they are most at home on stage, and gig relentlessly throughout the UK, although this will be their first visit to Preston. 


Also on the bill are two local acts – Drunk Girls and 1.21 Gigawatts – each freshly returned after an absence of three years and both playing their own brand of pop, indie and surf-punk. A member of both, Chris McKendrick, who drums in the former and players guitar in the latter, claims the break did them the world of good and they have returned a more professional, tighter band, and are looking to cement themselves on the local scene. 


Filling the final slot will be Yard Wars, from Wakefield, lead by Michael Ainsley and playing up-tempo pop-punk.


So impressive are the headlining band they are already booked in for a second visit later in the year at The Ferret on a paid entry gig, supported by Wigan’s abrasive punks Riggotts, but you are urged to catch them this time for free on what will be an energetic night of raw rock and roll.

The show is the second half of a two-night event called The Bikopalypse, the first being on Friday 25th July also at The Ferret, and featuring four diverse bands including local festival mainstays Brassic; two instrumental bands, Kusanagi and Alright The Captain – from Liverpool and Nottingham respectively – plus local rockers Zvilnik.

Both nights, booked and promoted by local team Picturesound, start at 8pm and are free entry.