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Born and brought up in the rural but working class areas of Cumbria, England home to the incongruous twins of coal mining and Wordsworth, Francis Dunnery took up the drums at age 11. Swiftly embracing the more melodic guitar, bass and keyboards he developed his own inimitable style. The group It Bites were his passport to London and a record company deal. Signed by Virgin Records in 1985 the bands' weird time signatures and lack of visual artifice were the antithesis of the preceding years of make-up and confused sexuality.
The band had a hit with almost their first single 'Calling All The Heroes' and spent the next 4 years trying to rid themselves of the milestone it had become. The debut album 'Big Lad In The Windmill' was followed by 'Once Around The World' (1988) and the epic 'Eat Me In St.Louis' (1989). The band were beginning to be recognized as a potent live act with a commensurate following when they imploded. To this day no-one seems sure why. A posthumous live album, 'Thank You and Goodnight' was all that was left.
Francis retreated to the USA where he toiled producing a debut solo album 'Welcome To The Wild Country,' which was first released in Japan and then reissued through Aquarian Nation Records.
After leaving Virgin, Francis took stock of his life and utilized his superb guitar skills playing back-up for many well known artists. It was while playing guitar for Robert Plant that he was spotted by Plant's manager Bill Curbishley who quickly recognized his songwriting talents.
With new management he secured a deal at Atlantic Records and two superb solo albums 'Fearless' (1994) and 'Tall Blonde Helicopter' (1995) put him back on track including an international hit with 'American Life In The Summertime'.
After the critically acclaimed acoustic live album 'One Night In Sauchiehall Street' was released in the UK (1997), another studio set 'Lets Go Do What Happens' was let loose on the American market. In addition Francis managed to use his unique guitar talents to good effect on such diverse releases as Lauren Hill's 'Miseducation of Lauren Hill' and the multi-platinum rebirth of Santana with
'Supernatural'. He also played all the guitars and co wrote some of the tracks on ex Stone Roses vocalist Ian Brown's brilliant CD 'Music of the Spheres'.
In 1998, unable to sustain his enthusiasm for the music industry, Francis retired to the mountains of Vermont with his girlfriend, raised a child and developed his interest in Jungian Psychology and horse training. Lured back to the UK in the year 2000 he was surprised to find that gigs sold out and he returned with a bigger tour that autumn. The songs that had been swirling round his head for the last four years finally found substance when he completed the recording of a studio album at the Forge studio in Oswestry. 'Man,' the fruits of that labour, appeared on his Aquarian Nation label only available at gigs and from his own web sites.
"The album is a collection of songs that I wrote during a turbulent period of my life. They describe the lonely transition that we all must make from the final chapters of youth into full psychological adulthood. After fulfilling the accomplishments of my youth I am now able to present to the world Francis Dunnery, MAN."
A live album, 'Hometown' (2001), was recorded at an emotional gig in Whitehaven Civic Hall, with assistance from bassist Matt Pegg and released at Christmas that year.
During 2002 Francis produced and co-wrote 'I Didn't Get Where I Am' for former Squeeze stalwart Chris Difford which appeared initially on Aquarian Nation and was named Album of the Year by such diverse talents as Danny Baker and Elton John. It features song about Chris's childhood and adolescence set to Francis's sensitive yet musical arrangements. As a 3 piece, Francis and Chris teamed up with vocalist Dorie Jackson to tour with Elvis Costello, Jools Holland and Chris Rea as well as their own dates in the run up to Christmas.
Supporting Francis and Chris on their tour were fellow Cumbrian's John and Wayne who's album 'Nearly Killed Keith' had also been co-written and produced by Francis. A heartfelt, sometimes hilarious and disturbing portrayal of northern working class life, the album tells of wasted lives and long lost childhood dreams.
Francis Dunnery is now domiciled in Pennsylvania, plays gigs, and has returned to school to study for a Masters Degree in Psychology. Although immersed in school, he has managed to keep a busy schedule, including the release of an astounding acoustic CD, 'The Gulley Flats Boys' (2005) . Francis collaborated with pianist David Sancious to create a magical album that was toured throughout the US and the UK.
Francis has recently embarked on a House Concert World Tour that has literally taken him into living rooms throughout the world. The House Concerts allow him the opportunity to combine his life stories, educational interests and amazing musical talents into an intimate life changing evening.
As if Francis wasn't busy enough, he just toured his album, Tall Blonde Helicopter, with a full rock band this past October,
he recently released Dorie Jackson's debut album, The Courting Ground,
and James Sonefeld's album, Snowman Melting, is now finishing the production of John and Wayne's second album, and has almost finished recording a new album for The Syn, called Big Sky.
3 Minute Promo for 'Big Sky' CD due Feb '09
For full details on all of the Francis Dunnery happenings, check out Francis Dunnery's personal web site
Official Site
Facebook Page
E-mail: [email protected]
