The Frank and Walters: ‘Linda McCartney said that After All reminded her of a Beatles song’

Hanging out with Paul McCartney, touring with Radiohead - and why they fell out with Noel Gallagher. The Frank and Walters share three decades of memories with Ed Power

IE WEEKEND VICKIE 17/04/2023 stock generic image music singing.

On their way to becoming one of the most successful Cork bands of all time, The Frank and Walters have rubbed more than a few famous shoulders. Backstage at Top of the Pops in 1993, the Franks hung out with Paul McCartney. They shared a tour van with a baby-faced Radiohead. And they struck up a friendship with Noel Gallagher in his pre-Oasis days — though the relationship took a wobble after Noel, who briefly worked as their roadie, invited the Franks back to his flat.

“We got on very well with him,” recalls Paul Linehan, the group’s singer and songwriter. “When we played in Oldham supporting Inspiral Carpets [for whom Gallagher also roadied] he brought us back to his apartment. He had an aquarium with really nice fish in it. Some of the fish might have died after we visited.”