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Franki Doll And The Broken Toys
An Interview With
Pat Leborio
The Undisputed OC Champ!
It’s about 10:30 at night and I am
standing at the front door of an apartment, ready to knock. It’s
a nice quiet neighborhood and the cool Huntington Beach air has
that salty scent that I have loved since childhood. It is a
perfect night, yet I am a little fearful of knocking on the door.
After about thirty seconds, I finally muster the nerve to knock. When the door opens I see her. Hair done up and sporting some
ripped up jeans and a T-Shirt. It’s Franki Doll. Even though I
have met Franki several times, she greets me with the respect of
an ambassador. Her smile lights up the entryway. Her voice is so
hypnotic, she could write a new hit song entitled, “Hi, come
inside.” Okay…..yes! At this point, I am the smitten kitten.
As I
take a seat, I notice memorabilia and gifts sent by adoring fans
displayed respectfully throughout the place. There are dolls,
impressive paintings and funny knick knacks everywhere! Suddenly,
a voice pops out and says, “This is what it’s all about.” It’s
Drummer Jenson Avery. Jenson comes over, sleeved with tattoos,
to greet me. Jenson is the youngster with the quick sticks who
co-founded Franki and the Broken Toys 3 years ago. Playing with
his dog, Hero, Jenson tells me different stories of gifts and
fan interaction, all great stories by the way. “Once we arranged
for a fan from Alabama to come out and see us. We were very
touched by her personal story and how loyal she was as a fan,”
explains Jenson. That girl’s name is Amanda. Amanda went on to
say, “I live in Alabama and they made me feel like I belonged
with them.” Jenson went on about specific times, people and
places. It is quite impressive to witness the emotion and the
humility this young man has when he speaks. When you listen to
Jenson Avery, it is no wonder that he is the guy that captured
the heart of one of the most sought after single moms in the
country. Wow, I’m so jealous!
Franki is now sitting on the couch
snuggled up to her talented fiancé. I asked about Hawaii. “It’s
true. Jenson proposed to me in one of the most beautiful places
in the world,” says a giddy Franki Doll. Jenson is blushing
right now…..something young rockstars don’t do often. Shoot, I’m
crying, but then again, I am no rockstar!
Two Broken Toys are
hobbling their way toward the couch. They are Chris Khaos and
Alex Smith. These are too young guitar shredders that Franki and
Jenson handpicked for the band. Both Chris and Alex hail from
the OC and have been playing music for years. “I’m very solid.
Just don’t let me drive,” laughs Chris as he tips a cold Bud
tall can to his pierced lips.
Now that we are all on the couch
we start talking about the band and its meteoric rise to OC
fame. “I am so blown away at the fan support,” says Alex Smith.
Well, this comedian is blown away as well, Alex. Songs like
“Morphine Lollipop” and “Suffocated Light” have churned out
internet hits that would make Keith Richards dance like Lady GaGa! These songs have garnered anywhere from 10,000 to 55,000
hits in a given month. Wow, big dad! Most of the hits are from
the loyal fans that the Broken Toys have spawned from their
roots in Orange County. The songs, “Carnival,” “Broken Me” and
“I should be sleeping” have also caused Facebook traffic jams.
60,000 + fans on myspace, thousands of world wide visitors to
the various web sites and the big-ticket sales have raised
eyebrows on many music industry elite.
Every once in awhile, a
band appears that you know in the pit of your stomach is the
next big thing. There is no doubt in your mind and you are happy
to be one of the first ones who knew. This is Franki and her
boys and I am very happy to be able to say I knew before the
rest of the world. This lengthy foreshadowing was given by Long Live Crime Records CEO Susan Ferris.
Ferris has been a respected music executive for years and knows
greatness before most of us see it. Ferris went on to say, “It’s
time for the rest of the world to catch up.”
Long time band
manager Richard Probst, who guided the careers of Earth, Wind and
Fire, Journey and Hootie & the Blowfish, sees the special
ingredient that makes a band go all the way. “They don’t play to
the crowd, they spill themselves to the crowd and the crowd
falls in love,” explains Probst. It is obvious to this comedian
that the band has electricity that flows in every direction. The
masses of people that are Broken Toy Nation are all one entity.
It’s an entity that seems to be growing with great speed. I
think Donna Amos, a fan from Tustin, says it best. “The band is
family to many, many people.”
So what is in the future for this
very popular group of alternative rockers? “We are getting ready
to record our first CD,” says Franki Doll. The band is also
looking for management and a good booking agent. Sitting on the
couch with these guys, I am amazed to hear that they still have
no management. They are also getting ready for a return visit to
the Orange County Music Awards this Saturday at the Grove
Theater in Anaheim.
In 2008, Franki and the Broken Toys won for
Best Live Band and Franki won for Most Memorable Front Person.
This time around they are nominated for Best Punk Rock Band. If
the fans on the web judged the winner, it looks like Franki and
the Broken Toys are the easy winner.
Well, after several hours
in Franki and Jenson’s living room, we finally wrap it up. We
exchange hugs and handshakes. I am walking back to the car and I
stop to inhale that salty air one last time. Sitting in the car
I realize that I have been intimate with greatness. I feel like
I had a peak at something special. To quote Susan Ferris
again…..”It’s time for the rest of the world to catch up.”
- Pat Leborio, writer/comedian/actor
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2010 OCMA Nominee: BEST PUNK
ROCK BAND |
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Franki takes a glance at her talented fiance
Jenson Avery. |
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The band talking with Pat on
Franki's couch. |
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Check out Franki Doll And
The Broken Toys Music, Pictures And Videos at
myspace and
facebook. |
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