Frank McGowan
Encyclopedia
Francis Mark Courtney McGowan (born March 23, 1981), is an independent Scottish film-maker/producer/director, media personality and musician from Glasgow
, Scotland
, UK.
Best known as drummer for acclaimed indie-rock band Stutter Bunny
(formerly Eric and the Bunny Boilers) McGowan is also Executive Producer/Creative Director of Bad Pony Media
Ltd/Bad Pony Television with writer/producer Michelle Martin
, who also fronts the band.
Stutter Bunny
enjoyed highly demonstrable success 2004-2008, following the release of their debut 5 track EP Heard You Say. "Heard You Say" reached the no1 spot in the independent BT Broadband New Music Chart in 2005, securing critical acclaim and a loyal following for the group. The band were notably the first ever Scottish no1 in the BT Broadband New Music Chart, followed in years to come by the likes of Snow Patrol
and Biffy Clyro
. The band also appeared on Radio 1
with Steve Lamaq, and in many other high profile interviews for radio and television.
As part of Eric and the Bunny Boilers, McGowan appeared on ITV
, York TV and BBC Three
music shows 2004 - 2008, and performed energetic live sets for the likes of MTV
, Radio 1
and Channel 4
. The band also performed live from T In The Park in 2006, and at the acclaimed In The City
and Backlands Festivals with Northern Rock Festival Group, of which the band were founding members of, from age 14. The bunnies followed on their festival appearances with an exhaustive UK tour to coincide with the independent digital release of their "catchy and infectious" 82 single, which tipped them as "Blondie
for a new generation" by NME
.com.
After a brief hiatus in 2008 the band re-emerged as "Stutter Bunny
" in 2010 with a powerful new line-up. They are set to tour in 2011, and are currently in the studio recording with Cheryl Howarth who replaced Ally Bowie on keys.
While still a student of the Creative Industries, McGowan formed "Bad Pony Productions" in 2006 with fellow producers (and band-mates Michelle Martin
and Charlene McDonald. Cheryl Howarth has also recently been credited as a producer.
The company expanded to become "Bad Pony Media
Ltd/Bad Pony Television" in 2009, with development of over 30+ new multi-platform shows for television announced in 2010, and their own interactive "Bad Pony TV" channel set to launch in early 2012.
As well as his work behind the camera, McGowan has also made several appearances on daytime television in front of the camera, most notably as a guest on the popular daytime Open House with Gloria Hunniford show, hosted by Gloria Hunniford
in 2002, where he was featured as part of a five week segment on sleep deprivation following his efforts as part of a popular touring rock band. Celebrities such as Stephen Gately
, Jenny Seagrove
and pop-star Adam Rickett also appeared on the show. The segment itself was part of an official study by Professor Christopher Idzikowski, a leading expert on sleep-related disorders - and acting chairman for a number of international medical foundations specializing in sleep assessment and research. Details of the study features in Idzikowski's book Learn To Sleep Well published by Chronicle Books
.
McGowan also runs a fan-site for the popular 80's American TV sitcom "The Munsters Today
", and is nicknamed "Cousin Frank" by fans of the show, visitors to his website and cast. The site has attracted interest from the show's cast, producers and fans from around the world, and includes interviews with Jason Marsden
, Hilary Van Dyke
, Karen Keech Swerling, Lloyd J Scwartz and many others.
McGowan also appeared on late night television shows such as Trial By Night and Win Lose or Draw produced by Scottish Television
. He has also appeared as a guest on BBC Radio Scotland
, along with comedian/actress Anna Devitt.
In 2006, while still a student of the Creative Industries, McGowan produced a 2min short film called Cheat. The film starred McGowan as a police officer, along with fellow Stutter Bunny
band members Michelle Martin
(co-executive producer), and Charlene McDonald (co-producer). The film interestingly featured a giant bunny who killed people after a spell by a scorned lover had been cast and had gone awry and saw a glimpse of the band's t-shirt at the end as homage to their previous incarnation as Eric and the Bunny Boilers.
His directorial debut was on the feature length TV pilot for gritty series drama Ninety Eight Percent
, which is currently in production in Glasgow. The pilot starred Emma Ashby as a sociopath lesbian drug dealer, Casey. The role for the series is played by newcomer Alex Leslie.
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, UK.
Best known as drummer for acclaimed indie-rock band Stutter Bunny
Stutter bunny
Stutter Bunny were a Glasgow based female fronted flop rock band from Scotland, UK. Having formed in early 2004 as Eric and the Bunny Boilers they enjoyed a successful two years on the Scottish music scene before changing their name to Stutter Bunny in 2006...
(formerly Eric and the Bunny Boilers) McGowan is also Executive Producer/Creative Director of Bad Pony Media
Bad Pony Media
Bad Pony Media Ltd/Bad Pony Television is a Scotland based independent Production Company based in the G1 area of Glasgow.The company, headed by Executive Producer's Michelle Martin and Frank McGowan specialise in their own creative content for broadcast television and online.Projects currently in...
Ltd/Bad Pony Television with writer/producer Michelle Martin
Michelle Martin
Michelle Martin is a former professional squash player from Australia who was one of the game's leading players in the 1990s. During her career, she won three World Open titles and six British Open titles...
, who also fronts the band.
Stutter Bunny
Stutter bunny
Stutter Bunny were a Glasgow based female fronted flop rock band from Scotland, UK. Having formed in early 2004 as Eric and the Bunny Boilers they enjoyed a successful two years on the Scottish music scene before changing their name to Stutter Bunny in 2006...
enjoyed highly demonstrable success 2004-2008, following the release of their debut 5 track EP Heard You Say. "Heard You Say" reached the no1 spot in the independent BT Broadband New Music Chart in 2005, securing critical acclaim and a loyal following for the group. The band were notably the first ever Scottish no1 in the BT Broadband New Music Chart, followed in years to come by the likes of Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol are an alternative rock band from Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. Formed at the University of Dundee in 1994 as an indie rock band, the band is now based in Glasgow...
and Biffy Clyro
Biffy Clyro
Biffy Clyro are a Scottish rock band from Kilmarnock, comprising Simon Neil , James Johnston and Ben Johnston...
. The band also appeared on Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
with Steve Lamaq, and in many other high profile interviews for radio and television.
As part of Eric and the Bunny Boilers, McGowan appeared on ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
, York TV and BBC Three
BBC Three
BBC Three is a television network from the BBC broadcasting via digital cable, terrestrial, IPTV and satellite platforms. The channel's target audience includes those in the 16-34 year old age group, and has the purpose of providing "innovative" content to younger audiences, focusing on new talent...
music shows 2004 - 2008, and performed energetic live sets for the likes of MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
, Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
and Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
. The band also performed live from T In The Park in 2006, and at the acclaimed In The City
In The City (festival)
In The City is an annual music industry conference and festival founded by the late Tony Wilson, formerly of Factory Records and Granada Television, and his partner Yvette Livesey....
and Backlands Festivals with Northern Rock Festival Group, of which the band were founding members of, from age 14. The bunnies followed on their festival appearances with an exhaustive UK tour to coincide with the independent digital release of their "catchy and infectious" 82 single, which tipped them as "Blondie
Blondie (band)
Blondie is an American rock band, founded by singer Deborah Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer in the early American New Wave and punk scenes of the mid-1970s...
for a new generation" by NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
.com.
After a brief hiatus in 2008 the band re-emerged as "Stutter Bunny
Stutter bunny
Stutter Bunny were a Glasgow based female fronted flop rock band from Scotland, UK. Having formed in early 2004 as Eric and the Bunny Boilers they enjoyed a successful two years on the Scottish music scene before changing their name to Stutter Bunny in 2006...
" in 2010 with a powerful new line-up. They are set to tour in 2011, and are currently in the studio recording with Cheryl Howarth who replaced Ally Bowie on keys.
While still a student of the Creative Industries, McGowan formed "Bad Pony Productions" in 2006 with fellow producers (and band-mates Michelle Martin
Michelle Martin
Michelle Martin is a former professional squash player from Australia who was one of the game's leading players in the 1990s. During her career, she won three World Open titles and six British Open titles...
and Charlene McDonald. Cheryl Howarth has also recently been credited as a producer.
The company expanded to become "Bad Pony Media
Bad Pony Media
Bad Pony Media Ltd/Bad Pony Television is a Scotland based independent Production Company based in the G1 area of Glasgow.The company, headed by Executive Producer's Michelle Martin and Frank McGowan specialise in their own creative content for broadcast television and online.Projects currently in...
Ltd/Bad Pony Television" in 2009, with development of over 30+ new multi-platform shows for television announced in 2010, and their own interactive "Bad Pony TV" channel set to launch in early 2012.
As well as his work behind the camera, McGowan has also made several appearances on daytime television in front of the camera, most notably as a guest on the popular daytime Open House with Gloria Hunniford show, hosted by Gloria Hunniford
Gloria Hunniford
Gloria Hunniford is a Northern Irish TV and radio presenter, and formerly a singer.-Biography:...
in 2002, where he was featured as part of a five week segment on sleep deprivation following his efforts as part of a popular touring rock band. Celebrities such as Stephen Gately
Stephen Gately
Stephen Patrick David Gately was an Irish pop singer–songwriter, actor, dancer, musician and author, who, with Ronan Keating, was one of two lead singers of the pop group Boyzone. All of Boyzone's studio albums hit number one in the United Kingdom, their third being their most successful...
, Jenny Seagrove
Jenny Seagrove
Jennifer Ann Seagrove is an English actress. She trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and rose to fame playing the lead in a TV dramatisation of Barbara Taylor Bradford's A Woman of Substance and the 1983 film Local Hero...
and pop-star Adam Rickett also appeared on the show. The segment itself was part of an official study by Professor Christopher Idzikowski, a leading expert on sleep-related disorders - and acting chairman for a number of international medical foundations specializing in sleep assessment and research. Details of the study features in Idzikowski's book Learn To Sleep Well published by Chronicle Books
Chronicle Books
Chronicle Books is a San Francisco-based American publisher of books for adults and children.The company was established in 1968 by Phelps Dewey, an executive with Chronicle Publishing Company, then-publisher of the San Francisco Chronicle. In 1999 it was bought by Nion McEvoy, great-grandson of...
.
McGowan also runs a fan-site for the popular 80's American TV sitcom "The Munsters Today
The Munsters Today
The Munsters Today is an American sitcom that aired in syndication from 1988 to 1991. The series served as a sequel to the 1960s sitcom The Munsters.-Production:...
", and is nicknamed "Cousin Frank" by fans of the show, visitors to his website and cast. The site has attracted interest from the show's cast, producers and fans from around the world, and includes interviews with Jason Marsden
Jason Marsden
Jason Christopher Marsden is an American screen and voice actor who has done numerous voice roles in animated films, as well as various television series.-Early life:...
, Hilary Van Dyke
Hilary Van Dyke
Hilary Van Dyke is an American actress and singer who began her career in TV advertisements before landing the role of Marilyn Munster in The Munsters Today, replacing the actress in the original pilot episodes, Mary Ellen Dunbar.-Acting:...
, Karen Keech Swerling, Lloyd J Scwartz and many others.
McGowan also appeared on late night television shows such as Trial By Night and Win Lose or Draw produced by Scottish Television
Scottish Television
Scottish Television is Scotland's largest ITV franchisee, and has held the ITV franchise for Central Scotland since 31 August 1957. It is the second oldest ITV franchisee still active...
. He has also appeared as a guest on BBC Radio Scotland
BBC Radio Scotland
BBC Radio Scotland is BBC Scotland's national English-language radio network. It broadcasts a wide variety of programming, including news, sport, light entertainment, music, the arts, comedy, drama, history and lifestyle...
, along with comedian/actress Anna Devitt.
In 2006, while still a student of the Creative Industries, McGowan produced a 2min short film called Cheat. The film starred McGowan as a police officer, along with fellow Stutter Bunny
Stutter bunny
Stutter Bunny were a Glasgow based female fronted flop rock band from Scotland, UK. Having formed in early 2004 as Eric and the Bunny Boilers they enjoyed a successful two years on the Scottish music scene before changing their name to Stutter Bunny in 2006...
band members Michelle Martin
Michelle Martin
Michelle Martin is a former professional squash player from Australia who was one of the game's leading players in the 1990s. During her career, she won three World Open titles and six British Open titles...
(co-executive producer), and Charlene McDonald (co-producer). The film interestingly featured a giant bunny who killed people after a spell by a scorned lover had been cast and had gone awry and saw a glimpse of the band's t-shirt at the end as homage to their previous incarnation as Eric and the Bunny Boilers.
His directorial debut was on the feature length TV pilot for gritty series drama Ninety Eight Percent
Ninety Eight Percent
Ninety Eight Percent is a controversial new series drama from Scotland, currently in production by Bad Pony Media.Written by Michelle Martin and directed/produced by Bafta nominated Frank McGowan the series is set to be aired in 2011 exclusively via the soon-to-launch Bad Pony TV.The production...
, which is currently in production in Glasgow. The pilot starred Emma Ashby as a sociopath lesbian drug dealer, Casey. The role for the series is played by newcomer Alex Leslie.