Fran Healy - Travis

Fran doesn't read music but he knows just enough to be able to copy it right out of a book:a book which is more often than not, the Oasis and Radiohead songbook. And the best piece of advice he's received? trust your instinct...and Fran's instinct has been to take his band, Radiohead up to the very limits of musical landscaping - and to build his own personal folk necropolis

Fran's presently enjoying a pint of unseasoned marrow juice in his favourite local down Notting Hill. And he's still got his hood on. We decide to test that necessary pop-star wit with the usual twenty questions:

How the buggery are you, Fran?

Fine thanks...but I'd prefer you not to swear as there are some older clientele enjoying a quiet drink at the next table....

No problem. How about a question?

Sure. What's the capital of Indonesia?

We really meant one we could ask you. Still okay?

(nervous laugh) Soz..I was a bit....

That's okay Fran...how about.... It was Jakarta though. The capital of Indonesia. I bet you were thinking more along the lines of Borobodur or Java...

Spot on Fran...How about...

It's a common mistake....but it's Jakarta. Jakarta's the capital...

Right.. What is hell?

I'm sorry?

It's a kind of on the couch...erm.. money for questions sort of question...a bit odd? a bit quirky?

Right....(looking around) Well I was going to say 'look around it's the world around you..it's the world you live in...' But it's not the right answer is it?

It is if you want it to be....if that's your impression of hell... that's great...nice touch.

Yeah but it's not right, is it? I mean if you'd have said the capital of indonesia is the place you live in..or something like, yeah it's the world around you...you would have been wrong. Everybody knows it's Jakarta.See my point?

Yes Fran. Try this one: What's your greatest fear?

"Doing this (impersonates a one man band using only his mouth)

I'm Sorry?

It's all done with the mouth. Someone showed me how to do it and no one else at the table could to do it for a while...I just took to it like a duck to....

I don't understand...that's your greatest fear?

My greatest fear? I thought you said what's your best impression?

No Fran. Get another round in Fran.

Sure. What y' having?

A pint of XXXX.

Packet of peanuts?

Yeah. Why not.

(Fran, talking from the bar...

Two pints of xxxx and a packet of nuts please...

Salted or dry roasted, Sir?

(impersonates a one man band using only his mouth)

Thanks Fran..!

Radiohead are currently in the studio finishing off tracks for their forthcoming album, tentatively titled The Man Who....(was not comfortable with his own musical identity)