All hail The Hold Steady’s Franz Nicolay

The distinctively attired Nicolay was recruited by The Hold Steady to tinkle the ivories on their second album, Separation Sunday, but it's on this year's magnificent Boys And Girls In America that he has come into his own. But while his light-fingered, E Street Band-inspired runs are entirely laudable, but they’re nothing compared to the great man's onstage demeanour.
Sporting an heroic handlebar moustache, beret and cheap suit combo, swigging from a bottle of red wine and skipping about the stage like an especially graceful bear, Nicolay is the band's centre of attention. That his party trick is opening two bottles of Budweiser simply by clicking them together is, of course, an entirely admirable skill every man should learn.
Nicolay's talents don't end there. A multi-instrumentalist, arranger, producer and composer, in addition to serving time in such bands as Leftover Crack and Guignol, he has also written for dancer Diane Carroll and was – oh yes! – composer in residence for the NYU New Music and Dance Ensemble. For all of which, Franz Nicolay, Q doffs its cap in respect in your general direction.

Visit Franz[here]