January 7, 2007 11:45

Franz Ferdinand and The Cribs team up

Alex Kapranos gets in the production seat

Photo Gallery: Franz Ferdinand

Franz Ferdinand frontman Alex Kapranos is producing The Cribs' new album.

Kapranos is working on the band’s follow-up to 2005’s ’The New Fellas’ in Vancouver.

Work on the album, which has the provisiopnal title of ’Man’s Needs, Woman’s Needs, Whatever’ began in November after The Cribs supported Franz Ferdinand on their US tour.

Speaking to NME.COM, bassist Gary Jarman explained: “Alex watched us every night and told us he was interested in helping us. So we went back to Wakefield to work on it and it was when he came to visit us that we were like, ‘If he’s willing to come to this fucking place then he’s definitely doing the record'.”

For his part Kapranos said that he admired the atmosphere the band creates. He said: “The Cribs have that raw energy and attitude punk should have, but they also have one of the greatest senses of melody among any band around.”

For the full story, be sure to pick up this week’s NME, available in all good newsagents now.