Frank Watkinson Talks Slipknot Cover, Being the Internet Grandad & More | Bat Chats Interview

 

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Frank Watkinson: The Accidental YouTube Star

Raw Authenticity in the Age of Digital Perfection

An In-Depth Interview by Matt Tighe

In this revealing conversation, Frank Watkinson, the British musician who unexpectedly found fame on YouTube, discusses his journey from casual guitar player to internet sensation. With over 413,000 subscribers and 16 million views, Frank's honest approach to music and life has resonated with audiences worldwide.

1. [00:00] What inspired your initial roast of my British accent attempt? "Don't try to do an English accent. I've heard it's rubbish. It's getting close to the Dick Van Dyke's version," Frank chuckles, setting the tone for his characteristic dry humor.
2. [01:23] How did your musical journey begin? "I've had a guitar for as long as I can remember, and I play just as good now as I did when I first picked one up. I should be an Eric Clapton or anything like that, but laziness - I put it down to laziness. I won't say lack of skill because it's both. I've always liked to play when you hear a song. I want to play that, I love that song, and you find what the chords are and realize you can't play it. The older you get, you start learning things, then you start thinking I don't actually need to play those hard chords, I can make this simple."
3. [03:16] How did you start your YouTube journey? "I'd almost given up the guitar; it was just an occasional thing. Have you heard of Passenger? I like the way he played, but I was never going to play like him. I liked his songs, so I started to cover a few Passenger songs. I posted a few, and then I posted some of my own songs. I don't think much of my songs at all, but I started posting them. Trouble with songwriting is in the moment it's the best song you've ever heard until you've posted it and listen again and think, 'What was I doing?'"
4. [04:58] How did you approach covering Slipknot's "Snuff" and other unexpected genres? "I don't often listen to those bands. I've got so many other things of my own to listen to. But when people suggest these ones, I listen to it, and I have to listen through all the electric effects because what might mean a lot to somebody, and that's fair enough because everyone's got different tastes."
5. [05:34] How do you choose which cover requests to take on? "If I don't like the song, I find it hard to cover. I can't get into something if it doesn't mean anything to me. It could be any song - if I don't like it, it's very difficult to cover in an honest way."
6. [06:23] What are your thoughts on creating a studio record? "I don't think I could do that because I haven't got that perfectionist mentality. What you get with me is here in this room, picking up the guitar, thinking I'll do a song this morning. I've never played a concert, I've never played anywhere in front of anybody, and then I find myself playing in front of thousands of people around the world."
7. [07:20] How do you handle having such an impressive subscriber count? "It is hard to sort of get to grips with, but the sad thing about it is anyone else, a professional, would monopolize on that. They'd be making a lot of money. I don't - I make pocket money on it, and it's because I'm not a businessman really. I'm not in it for that. If I'd have thought it was going to get this popular, I should have got a manager."
8. [08:08] Can you tell us about the "This Could Be My Last Song" incident? "I had to change the title. I accidentally click-baited it and kind of sent everybody into a frenzy. Everyone's like 'don't go, don't stop playing music.' That's what I love about you - you're not trying to go viral, and here you are. It's special; that doesn't happen on the internet very often." 

9. [09:08] Why do people assume you're miserable based on your song choices? "I think a lot of people thought that my life was a misery. I just like these sad songs - I don't really do a lot of cheerful stuff. But I'm just normal, aren't I? That's why people have connected to me."
10. [10:01] What's your take on musicians who sound different live versus recorded? "The number of videos I've watched where people will do a song - there's always one that sticks to my mind, and it was a girl sitting in the room talking, saying she's got a guitar or ukulele. Two seconds later, it's full-blown studio, strumming and singing with all the effects and echo. Well, that's not you, that's not what you sounded like two seconds ago while you were talking. I've got nothing against all the studio stuff, but don't pretend that that's what you sound like."
11. [11:17] How important is believing in the song you're covering? "I've seen loads of singers singing like hallelujah and other sort of big songs, and they're more interested in their performance, their voice, and hanging onto notes and doing funny little things like that. They probably don't even know what the song is about. I like to listen to the words. I might have it wrong, but I'll get my own idea. I think 'oh this is pretty sad, this is quite sad.' Everyone's got their own way, but that's what I try to do - try to get into the zone with that song."
12. [13:06] Why do you think older people are often reluctant to try new music? "Some people get to a certain age, say in their 50s, and they get this impression 'I'm 50 now, I don't do that sort of thing anymore.' They get too old too soon, and music's never - they probably didn't listen to a lot of music anyway. But if you play like you obviously love your music, can you honestly think that when you're 70 you won't? Because you will. You'll find the people that like music a lot in their life and when young will still love it. The only difference is you're a bit older."
13. [15:28] How did you handle becoming a public figure on the internet? "I remember looking at my subscribers and going '200 - 200 people have subscribed to me!' From day one they would message, and I try, I always read the messages. The last reasonable amount was 12,000, and I was over the moon. Then somebody put me on TikTok. I remember one night turning the computer on and looking at my emails, and it was like three hundred and something. I thought 'what's going on?' I think I got a hundred thousand subscribers in the space of two nights."
14. [17:50] What's your secret to viral success? "I don't know why I haven't got the secret because if you had a secret, I would be begging you for answers because everyone would be. Probably the secret is be yourself, isn't it? Be yourself and tell the truth. Don't try to pretend it's something you're not."
15. [18:48] Which artists have reached out about your covers? "The Growlers posted me on their site. Another one called SYML posted that on his page and said something really nice. He said 'Look at this man doing my song - it's not my song anymore, it's his.' Sean James, I think he does The Guardian, commented on my version as well."
16. [20:26] Why aren't you interested in playing live? "If I wanted to make a living out of it, I'd have to play live because that's where you get the money. The reason I don't play live is because although I do all these songs, I hardly remember the words to a lot of them now. To play live, I'd have to get a set amount of songs and practice and practice so that I've got the songs in my head. I'm getting a bit too old."
17.  [21:23] Do people in his town know about his internet fame? Frank reveals that his internet fame is relatively unknown in his local community. Only a small circle, including his daughter's friends and some of his wife's work colleagues, know about his online presence. He describes being able to walk across the sports field near his house, go downtown with his dog, visit the bank and shops, and return without anyone recognizing him. He notes that while these select few know he creates content, they likely don't realize the extent of his following.
18.  [22:16] What are Frank's thoughts on Americans and Boris Johnson? Frank shares a candid perspective on American-British relations, humorously suggesting that if America had simply paid their taxes instead of staging the Boston Tea Party, they might have different gun laws and abortion rights today. He expresses particular satisfaction about Boris Johnson's departure from office, describing him as a "clown" who told "bare face lies." His comments reflect both historical awareness and current political engagement, delivered with characteristic British dry humor.
19.  [23:37] What did Frank do for a living? Frank worked as a telecommunications technician, or as he puts it, "the telephone man." His job involved climbing telegraph poles, installing phones, and setting up computer sockets in houses. This technical background gave him practical experience with technology infrastructure, though he maintains a modest attitude about his expertise.
20. [23:55] What are Frank's thoughts on technology? Frank maintains a balanced view of technology, acknowledging its rapid advancement while keeping a healthy distance from it. He observes how technology is constantly evolving, noting that whatever you get is outdated within six months. Unlike his grandfather's generation, who were amazed by basic recording devices, Frank understands technology but chooses not to be dominated by it. He notably leaves his phone at home when going out, displaying a conscious effort to maintain boundaries with technology.
21. [25:37] Why is Frank so hard on himself? When asked about his self-deprecating tendency, Frank explains it through his perspective on talent and success. He mentions seeing other talented musicians with fewer followers, suggesting that his success must be about more than just musical ability. He acknowledges that his appeal likely comes from his personality and the things he says, rather than just his musical talent. This reflects a humble self-awareness and recognition that success isn't solely about technical skill.
22. [26:34] What life advice does Frank offer? Frank shares several pieces of wisdom, including his favorite saying: "I learned from the mistakes from the people that listen to my advice." He counsels against rushing into full-time content creation without proper preparation, suggesting maintaining a regular job while building an online presence as a hobby. He emphasizes the importance of financial stability and warns against the premature adoption of the "influencer" label. Frank also stresses the importance of treating everyone with respect, stating "never look down upon anyone unless you're trying to help them out."
23. [29:17] How does the interview conclude? The interview ends with Frank acknowledging his nickname as the "internet granddad" and discussing a recent animated music video of his song. He humbly notes that while he wrote the song quickly years ago, others have contributed their talents to make it something special. The interviewer expresses gratitude for Frank's participation, noting that he embodies the values of kindness, talent, honesty, and passion that the show aims to promote.

Time Code List

1. 00:00 Frank Roasts My British Accent
2. 01:23 Frank’s history with Music
3. 03:16 Starting on YouTube
4. 04:58 Slipknot “Snuff” Cover & Unexpected Genres
5. 05:34 Cover Requests
6. 06:23 Frank on creating a studio record
7. 07:20 Frank’s impressive subscriber count
8. 08:08 This Could Be My Last Song & Accidental Clickbait
9. 09:08 People Think Frank is Miserable
10. 10:01 Musicians Who Sound Nothing Like Their Records
11. 11:17 Believing the song/connecting with lyrics
12. 13:06 Why are older people reluctant to try new music?
13. 15:28 How he went viral/being a public figure on the internet
14. 17:50 Frank’s secret to viral success
15. 18:48 Artist that have reached out to Frank through his covers
16. 20:26 Why Frank doesn’t care about playing live
17. 21:23 Do people in his town know about his internet fame ?
18. 22:16 Frank’s thought on Americans and Boris Johnson
19. 23:37 What did Frank do for a living?
20. 23:55 Frank’s thoughts on technology
21. 25:37 I ask why Frank is so hard on himself
22. 26:34 Frank’s live advice for me
23. 29:17 Outro

How a retired British telephone technician became YouTube's most authentic music sensation

In an era where social media success often comes packaged with carefully curated personas and marketing strategies, Frank Watkinson stands as a refreshing anomaly. The retired telecommunications technician from Britain has amassed over 413,000 YouTube subscribers and 16 million views by doing everything conventional wisdom says not to do: recording in one take, refusing to upgrade his equipment, declining to perform live, and maintaining a decidedly anti-commercial approach to his growing fame.

His covers of songs ranging from Slipknot to Radiohead have struck a chord with viewers worldwide, not despite but because of their unvarnished authenticity. "I haven't got that perfectionist mentality," Watkinson says with characteristic self-deprecation. "What you get with me is here in this room, picking up the guitar, thinking I'll do a song this morning."

The story of how a self-described "pensioner that plays guitar occasionally" became an unlikely YouTube sensation offers a compelling counter narrative to today's carefully manufactured internet fame. It suggests that in our age of digital perfection, what audiences truly crave might be something far more basic: sincerity.

An Accidental Star Is Born

Watkinson's journey to viral fame began, fittingly enough, with a bit of liquid courage and a casual upload. Having almost given up on guitar, he was inspired to record some covers of songs by the artist Passenger. "I liked his songs, so I started to cover a few," he recalls. Without any grand ambitions or strategic planning, he began posting videos to YouTube.

What followed was a slow build that suddenly exploded. "I remember looking at my subscribers and going '200 - 200 people have subscribed to me!'" he recalls with genuine amazement. The numbers grew steadily to 12,000 subscribers, which he considered remarkable. Then came the tipping point: someone shared one of his videos on TikTok. "I remember one night turning the computer on and looking at my emails, and it was like three hundred and something. I thought 'what's going on?'" He gained 100,000 subscribers in just two nights.

The Anti-Influencer

Perhaps most remarkable about Watkinson's success is his steadfast refusal to capitalize on it in any conventional way. While others might have rushed to monetize such a following, he maintains a deliberately modest approach. "Anyone else, a professional, would monopolize on that. They'd be making a lot of money," he acknowledges. "I don't - I make pocket money on it, and it's because I'm not a businessman really. I'm not in it for that."

This extends to his entire approach to music-making. In an age where even amateur musicians often employ sophisticated recording techniques and effects, Watkinson's videos are starkly simple: just a man in a room with his guitar. He's particularly critical of what he sees as artificial authenticity in online music. "The number of videos I've watched where people will do a song... two seconds later, it's full-blown studio, strumming and singing with all the effects and echo. Well, that's not you, that's not what you sounded like two seconds ago while you were talking."

The Power of Emotional Truth

What sets Watkinson's covers apart isn't technical prowess – something he's the first to admit – but rather his ability to connect with the emotional core of each song. Whether he's covering Slipknot's "Snuff" or a folk ballad, his approach remains the same: understand and feel the lyrics first.

"I've seen loads of singers singing like hallelujah and other sort of big songs, and they're more interested in their performance, their voice, and hanging onto notes and doing funny little things like that," he observes. "They probably don't even know what the song is about. I like to listen to the words."

This approach has earned him recognition from some of the original artists. SYML, after hearing Watkinson's cover of his song, remarked, "Look at this man doing my song - it's not my song anymore, it's his." The Growlers shared his cover on their official site, and several other artists have reached out to express their appreciation.

Living Outside the Algorithm

Perhaps most remarkable is how Watkinson's success exists almost entirely separate from his daily life. In his hometown, he can "walk across the sports field, go downtown with the dog, visit the bank and shops, and return without anyone recognizing him." He leaves his phone at home when he goes out and maintains a healthy distance from the technology that has made him famous.

This separation extends to his approach to content creation. When asked about his "secret" to viral success, he offers: "Probably the secret is be yourself, isn't it? Be yourself and tell the truth. Don't try to pretend it's something you're not."

A Different Kind of Role Model

At a time when "influencer" has become a career aspiration for many young people, Watkinson offers a different model of online success. His advice to aspiring content creators is refreshingly practical: "Too many people are running before they can walk," he observes, particularly critical of those who rush to claim the "influencer" title with relatively modest followings.

Instead, he advocates for a more measured approach: maintain your regular job, develop your content as a hobby, and wait until you have genuine success before considering it as a career. "You're not going to be anything big if you've got hungry children at home," he notes pragmatically.

The Future of Authenticity

As social media continues to evolve and become increasingly sophisticated, Watkinson's success raises interesting questions about the future of online content. In a landscape dominated by perfectly edited videos and carefully curated feeds, his unvarnished authenticity stands out not as a carefully constructed brand strategy but as a genuine alternative.

What's particularly striking is that Watkinson has achieved something many content creators desperately seek – a devoted following and viral success – by explicitly refusing to pursue it. His channel's growth seems to validate the very thing he preaches: that authenticity, rather than being a marketing strategy, is simply about being oneself.

As he continues to upload videos from his modest home setup, Watkinson remains unchanged by his success, offering a powerful reminder that in our digital age, sometimes the most revolutionary act is simply being genuine. "I don't think I'll evolve out of what people wanted me for," he says, unknowingly summarizing perhaps the very reason for his enduring appeal.