Surely you know Franz Nicolay as the mustachioed melody-maker tickling the ivories and making funny faces with his drinking buddies in the Hold Steady. But Franz contains exponentially more rock than just one band can contain. In addition to his work with the World/Inferno Friendship Society, Franz is also a one man show in his own right. His debut solo album is called Major General, and it's due from Philly's Fistolo Records January 13.Here we have the cover:Produced in large part by James Frazee-- no stranger to the Hold Steady, having lent a hand on Stay Positive-- over a six-day period and mixed by John Agnello, the 13-track set finds Nicolay joined by Brian Viglione of the Dresden Dolls, former World/Inferno member Yula Be'eri, and Jared Scott of Demander. Demander themselves show up on the opening track "Jeff Penalty", which was produced by hardcore knob-turner of note Don Fury,while Balkan Beat Box's Peter Hess appears on a track, and Jack Terricloth of World/Inferno contributes lyrics on a pair of tracks.Franz will hit the road on a national tour in January, with a planned stop down at South by Southwest in March while the Hold Steady take a break from touring. Speaking of which, those dudes are currently out on the road with those Drive-By Truckers, with dates aplenty this year and next.read more