Frank Sidebottom: Truth And Fiction

MOJO FELT A RUSH of excitement followed by a tangy aftertaste of apprehension when we saw the first teaser clip from Lenny Abrahamson’s film Frank, a fiction based around the character of Frank Sidebottom – the papier-mâché-headed ’80s indie-pop icon created by the late musician-comic Chris Sievey. Excitement that Sievey/Sidebottom is to receive such high-profile acknowledgment (he’s played by so-hot-it-hurts actor Michael Fassbender). Apprehension that the fictional Sidebottom bears little relation to the “real” thing and appears to have taken on characteristics of a number of other cult musicians – notably Captain Beefheart.

Here’s the clip – Tweet us with your thoughts.

Abrahamson’s film centres on wannabe musician, Jon (Domhnall Gleeson, pictured top right), who is drawn into the strange world of Frank and his bandmate/chief-of-staff Clara (Maggie Gyllenhaal), where he undergoes the kind of weird induction alleged/recalled by Captain Beefheart band members John “Drumbo” French and Bill “Zoot Horn Rollo” Harkleroad.

The film is co-written by eccentric-loving journo-writer Jon Ronson, who played keyboards for a short while in Sidebottom’s band and managed Mancunian indie hopefuls Man From Delmonte.

For more grist, here’s the trailer...