Nicholas John McCarthy, born on 13 December 1974 in Blackpool, is a versatile musician known for his work as a rhythm guitarist, backing/lead vocalist, keyboardist, and songwriter. Although born in England, McCarthy grew up in Vagen, near Munich, Bavaria, Germany. His younger sister is the artist Anna McCarthy. As a teenager, McCarthy earned the nickname “McCarThief” after an incident where he and friends stole a car. He completed his high school education in Bad Aibling, Germany, and was classically trained as both a pianist and a double bassist at the Munich Conservatory. Initially drawn to drumming, McCarthy later settled into his role as the rhythm guitarist, backing/lead vocalist, and keyboardist for the Glasgow-based band Franz Ferdinand, a position he held until 2016. His tenure with the band helped solidify their place in indie rock history, particularly with the release of their iconic debut album in 2004. McCarthy was not only a vital part of the band’s sound but also contributed as a co-songwriter. However, in 2016, he left Franz Ferdinand to focus on family matters and pursue other musical projects.
McCarthy’s musical journey began before Franz Ferdinand when he was a member of the bands Kamerakino and the jazz ensemble Scatter. He also played the double bass, cello, and Arabic lute in the experimental band Embryo, known for its fusion of jazz, rock, and world music. His time with Embryo further shaped his musical versatility, which he later brought to his work in Franz Ferdinand and beyond. In 2001, McCarthy moved to Glasgow, where he met Franz Ferdinand’s lead vocalist and guitarist, Alex Kapranos, at a party. The two were soon joined by drummer Paul Thomson (formerly of The Yummy Fur) and bassist Bob Hardy, forming Franz Ferdinand. McCarthy, despite his classical training, initially experimented with drumming before transitioning to guitar. His songwriting and arrangements helped define the band’s unique indie rock sound.
In 2005, McCarthy married his Austrian fiancée, Manuela Gernedel, in Bavaria, Germany. The couple has two children. McCarthy and his bandmates turned down an invitation to perform at the Live 8 concert to allow him to marry. After leaving Franz Ferdinand, McCarthy continued his music career as a songwriter, producer, and collaborator. He works at Flokati Studios in Munich, which he co-founded in 2020, alongside musician Mario Schönhofer. Additionally, McCarthy co-founded Sausage Studios in Hackney Lane, London, in 2012, with Sebastian Kellig.
The background image shows McCarthy performing with his bandmates on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson at CBS Television City in Los Angeles on 28 January 2009.
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