Interviews: Franck Carducci & The Fantastic Squad

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Rock band Franck Carducci & The Fantastic Squad from France. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Band introduction and where did you get the idea for the band name?

My name is Franck Carducci, I’m a french rock musician, singer, and songwriter. I grew up in Lyon, France, in an Italian family where 70’s classic-rock music was part of everyday life. We would listen to the Beatles and the Stones as well as Billy Joel or Supertramp, Led Zeppelin, and old Elton John records. As a teenager, I grew particularly fond of a band with very weird album covers. They had this cow with no band name on it, and another one had 2 guys shaking hands but one of them was on fire. My favorite one pictured a pig flying over an old London power station. They went by the name of Pink Floyd, and their music changed my life. So I started to play covers in pubs and clubs downtown Lyon, where I was not even old enough to be allowed in as a customer 🙂 I was also doing some studio sessions work in the area. In parallel, I was writing my own songs and recording some demos. Regularly, friends would tell me: “Hey, these songs sound good, you should make an album!” and I would always give the same answer: “What for? Nobody knows me and it’s never gonna work!”

Later on, I moved to Amsterdam and joined the local scene there. Then I got to meet one of my childhood heroes, Steve Hackett from Genesis. I opened a gig for him and we had a long discussion. At some point he said to me: “Your songs sound good, you should record an album!”. So I fired my usual response to this, but then he replied: “Well, just do it for yourself, that way you can’t be disappointed, if it works you’re happy, if it doesn’t, you’re still happy because you did it for you anyway!”

The next day, I started the recording of my first album “Oddity”. Steve was very supportive in the process and he apparently enjoyed the album because he then offered to play on the next one, which he did on “Torn Apart” in 2015. So I guess, everything I achieved as a solo artist, I owe it to Steve somehow, I wouldn’t be here without his wise words. As for the name, since I didn’t have a band at the time of the release of “Oddity” I just obviously used mine :)

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

I’ve always been a fan of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Especially the more elaborated side of the rock. So Progressive-Rock of course, but also Glam, Hard, Blues, ... It’s a mix of all these genres! I sometimes hear “Theatrical Rock” and I really like that label! “Atmospheric and Heavy” sounds good too!

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

With the original lineup yes, with the current lineup no

4. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Hi like fantasy stories a lot. Especially if they’re inspired by real life. So I’d say, in the 60s and 70s Hollywood movies, I love Al Pacino, Jack Nicholson, Steve McQueen, Bob DeNiro, Brando, and so many others ... But also Greek mythology, English literature (Lewis Caroll, ...) And sometimes ... LIFE!! 

5. Last/Next gigs?

Our last gig was in a great venue in the Netherlands called “De Boerderij” It was really special for me because I used to go there to see my fav artists when I was living in Amsterdam. We filmed and recorded this show for a future live DVD. Next, we will be ending “The Answer Tour” at the end of 2022 

NOV-18 : ST-MARTIN LA PLAINE (42) 

NOV-19 : FEURS (42) 

NOV-30 : BOURG-EN-BRESSE (01) 

DEC-01 : PARIS DEC-02 : VERVIERS 

DEC-03 : ENSISHEIM (68) 

DEC-06 : NEWCASTLE 

DEC-07 : CAMBRIDGE 

DEC-08 : SOUTHAMPTON 

DEC-09 : WIGAN 

DEC-10 : LONDON

DEC-11 : WOLVERHAMPTON 

DEC-16 : LA ROCHELLE 󾓧

DEC-17 : BORDEAUX

More info on my website: www.franckcarducci.com

6. Where would you like to perform?

My dream concert venues? I would have said “Shepherd’s Bush Empire” in London but we just did it, so I guess the next step is the Royal Albert Hall :) “L’Olympia” in Paris, “Paradiso” in Amsterdam, “The Troubadour” in LA and “Radio City Hall” in NYC to add but a few. 

7. Whom would you like to perform with?

If I could choose a band to support, that would probably be Paul McCartney or David Gilmour, or Roger Waters, but there are so many that I’d love to play with! 

8. Whom not?

I don’t think there’s any specific artist I would refuse to share the stage with. Nobody comes to mind

9. Have you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

I used to throw up before each gig when I was a kid. It’s over now. Even when we supported Sting in front of 15 000 people, I didn’t get scared :) So my tip is to just get up there, enjoy and have fun! 

10. What bands have inspired you the most?

Pink-Floyd, Led-Zeppelin, Supertramp, Kansas, Billy Joel, Elton John, David Bowie, Alice Cooper, Genesis, ...

11. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

A threesome just after a gig :) That was very unexpected!!

12. What do you think of your fans?

They are the best and most supportive fans you could ever imagine I love them all!

13. What do you think of our site?

I just checked it out and it’s great to see so much content about various genres in Rock ‘n’ Roll Big up for supporting indie artists

14. Something to add?

If you wanna hear more about us, feel free to follow us on social media You can find us easily on Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, YouTube, ... pretty much everywhere :) And my website: www.franckcarducci.com