Leicester's Fun Lovin' Criminals star to screen 'heart-wrenching' life story

A Leicester-born musician is set to unveil a documentary about his life at a series of intimate gigs this December. Fun Lovin' Criminals drummer Frank Benbini will screen his film, To Be Frank, before performing with his band Uncle Frank at venues across Scotland and Leicester.

The documentary, which has been seven years in the making, chronicles Benbini's journey from a Leicester council estate to drumming with international acts including Fun Lovin' Criminals and UB40 featuring Ali Campbell. The film, which Benbini describes as containing "heart-wrenching moments", also covers his struggles with mental health, anxiety, and battles with drugs and alcohol.

The musician will perform tracks from Uncle Frank's latest album Diablo at the International Arts Centre in Leicester, following screenings and acoustic shows in Edinburgh and Glasgow. The Leicester show will be the only full-band performance of the year.

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"The film is about a young kid from a council estate who took some chances and turned his life around to pave a way in rock and roll," said Frank. "It's about growing up in the eighties in a separated family and how my love for music developed, getting into the drums at an early age and discovering the music of my idol, Prince."

The documentary also addresses the recent changes in Fun Lovin' Criminals, including the departure of former frontman Huey Morgan three years ago. The band has since performed more than 150 shows in 15 countries, with Benbini joining Brian 'Fast' Leiser on lead vocals and Naim Cortazzi on guitar.

"Being a touring musician is awesome but it's not as glamorous as you might think," Frank continued. "It can be a very stressful life and I've often been surrounded by drugs and alcohol, which are an occupational hazard that come with the territory."

The Leicester performance will take place at the International Arts Centre on Satuday, December 14, following shows at The Voodoo Rooms in Edinburgh on Sunday, December 8 and The Hug and Pint in Glasgow on Monday, December 9.

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